Arsenal-Mania

Merida hit with hefty fine by Barcelona

By Jonathan Chong on Thursday, October 11, 2007

Arsenal's Fran Merida has been hit with a Ł2.1 million fine by his former club Barcelona.

The court in Spain ruled that Merida, who quit Barcelona after eight years in 2005 and joined Arsenal less than a year later, had infringed his contract with the Primera Liga club.

The decision could have serious implications for clubs in England, where players can sign professional contracts at 16, two years earlier than in Spain.

Madrid-based lawyer Rodrigo Garcia said: "English teams will now think again before signing a young Spanish player.

"It's an important ruling."

User Comments

6

jordan

Posted on 13 Oct, 2007 at 01:54 PM - Reply

fran merida deserved the fine for a breech of contract

5

jimmyg

Posted on 12 Oct, 2007 at 08:40 PM - Reply

english teams will think again before messing with the SPANISH LEGAL SYSTEM! Im shaking in my boots I am

4

ciweed

Posted on 12 Oct, 2007 at 08:21 PM - Reply

Barcelona felt they are pretty lost super-talented Merida to Arsenal.. So, they try to get some money to cover their lost of such a wonderful kid.. Go merida..

3

Doziet

Posted on 12 Oct, 2007 at 01:21 PM - Reply

this is nonsense, they just making things difficult for us. They scared he is going to be another Fabrigas or something?

2

Gooner

Posted on 11 Oct, 2007 at 10:50 PM - Reply

He will worth more than that in future. Wenger's scouting ability had always been the best

1

Tew

Posted on 11 Oct, 2007 at 08:43 PM - Reply

what a load of sh*t. spain should change their rules to cope with the english game. Players are bound to want to sign a professional contract as soon as they can