LIONEL MESSI told Barcelona he wants to leave – by sending them a fax.
In a world of modern technology, that may come as a surprise to many football fans.
Lionel Messi FAXED Barcelona to tell them he wants to leave this summerCredit: EPA
But there is a reason for it.
According to AS, Messi used a ‘burofax’, a service provided by Spain’s postal service, to inform Barca of his shock decision.
It is used “where it is necessary to prove that the document was delivered and also the contents of that document”.
And with the transfer bombshell shocking the football world, Messi is clearly keen to get everything covered legally.
As SunSport has previously reported, many football managers, chairman and agents prefer the old-time, safe simplicity of the churning fax machine.
These documents slowly splurge out for them to see and touch, rather than virtual messages through emails or texts.
But the key reason is that the legal world still prefers written documents and hand-written signatures to electronic notification.
A burofax can also be sent in person at a post office or on-line on the Spanish Postal Service website, but the picture of Messi using the fax machine is far better.
And with Messi and Barcelona seemingly at war over the transfer, it could well go through the courts.
His current deal expires in 2021 with a £630million release clause.
But when he signed his last deal, the Atheltic write how he added a stipulation allowing him to terminate his contract at the end of the 2019-20 season – which Messi attempted yesterday.
This is where the club and player are at loggerheads, because the clause only comes into effect if Messi asked to terminate his contract before June 10.
However, the Argentine’s legal team are arguing that because the season was extended over the coronavirus pandemic, the clause should still apply until the end of August.
Barcelona’s final game of the season came in the 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich on August 14.
Messi’s reps are arguing that if the pandemic happened next year, Messi would be expected to see out the campaign, past the expiration of his contract.
The 33-year-old has cut a disconsolate figure many times this season, none more so than after Barca’s 8-2 drubbing at the hands of eventual Champions League winners Bayern in the quarter-finals.
Manchester City have moved to favourites to sign the little magician, with Messi said to be in contact with his old Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola about a move.
Messi has only ever signed to play for Barcelona – now he is set to leave the clubCredit: Reuters
Lionel Messi transfer request – Furious Barcelona fans protest against president Josep Maria Bartomeu outside Nou Camp
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
