Leaked document reveals Santos didn't give Barça enough Gabigol time

Leaked document reveals Santos didn't give Barça enough Gabigol time

Santos could have acted in an illegal way by selling Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa to Inter Milan. 'UOL Esporte' have released a fax sent from the Brazilian club to Barcelona before completing the transfer of the striker last month. 

The date on the fax reveals that Barça were not given the three days required to decide whether to match Inter's offer, which is what was written into the contract signed in 2013 which gave the Catalan club first right on Gabigol. 

"We hereby refer to Section 4 of the Agreement dated Jul. 25, 2013, to grant Barcelona the first refusal option on the transfer of the football player Gabriel Barabosa Almeida for the amount of €29.5 million," the fax reads. 

"In accordance to the aboved referred Section 4, Barcelona would have a three business day period to manifest its intent to exercise its preferential rights.

"Santos FC received the offer from a third party club yesterday, Aug. 28, and as Barcelona is fully aware any international transfer must be completed no later than Aug. 31. For such urgent situations, we kindly ask Barcelona to manifest their intentions to execute its preferential rights until Aug. 30, 5am (Santos times) or 10am (Barcelona time)." 

The document appeared on and is dated Aug. 29, which didn't allow Barcelona the three days they're allowed to react. The Catalan club will therefore report Santos to FIFA, but before doing so they've asked the Brazilian side for all the documents relating to the transfer.