Barcelona has scored a major win in its legal battle with former Brazilian midfielder Matheus Fernandes, saving the club from a potential financial hit of ₦12 billion (€7 million). Fernandes, who was signed in January 2020 and made just one official appearance for the club, sued Barcelona for unfair dismissal after his contract was terminated 18 months later.
Initially, Fernandes was awarded €7.7 million in compensation, but Barcelona successfully appealed to the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, reducing the payout to €731,000. Fernandes then took his case to the Supreme Court, but the court rejected his appeal, leaving Barcelona liable for only the reduced amount.
This legal victory comes as a major relief for Barcelona, given their ongoing financial struggles. Avoiding such a hefty payout means the club can focus its limited resources on other pressing issues, especially after recent difficulties in registering new players like Dani Olmo.
The resolution marks the end of a long and costly legal dispute, with Barcelona now free from the burden of paying out millions to a player who played just 17 minutes for the club.