Santos to report Chelsea over Neymar approach

(GSM) – Santos are ready to report Chelsea to FIFA for what they claim has been an illegal approach to their teenage striker Neymar by the English champions.

Santos claim they have turned down two official offers for the 18-year-old including one from Chelsea last month for 20 million euros.

The Brazilian club had earlier said they would only let Neymar go for 35 million euros, which is the cost of rescinding his contract.

“The English club presented us with a formal proposal some time back after having begun direct talks with the player and his representatives,” Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro said.

“We refused it and made it clear we had no interest in negotiating the economic rights of this player who is under contract to Santos,” he told reporters at the club.

“I found out that the siege continued. That’s intolerable in view of the ethics that must govern relations between the clubs of world football,” he added in his remarks posted on the club
website.

“In accordance with FIFA norms, Santos will defend their interests to prevent this type of attitude contrary to (such) principles.”

Santos say the club’s lawyers are preparing a document on the issue to send to FIFA.