Hands off Griezmann, Atletico warns Barca

MADRID - Atletico Madrid chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin on Tuesday blasted Barcelona over its pursuit of highly prized striker Antoine Griezmann, saying he was "fed up" with the Catalan club's attitude.

Marin issued the rebuke hours after a Spanish radio station reported that Barcelona was poised to pay the French international's $119 million release clause.

The Atletico CEO said the club's stance was very clear.

"Not once have we negotiated for Griezmann nor do we have any intention to do so," he said in a statement issued on the team's official website.

"A few months ago, I personally expressed to Barcelona's president that our player isn't for sale nor are we going to sell him," he continued.

"At the same time, I let him know that his inappropriate conduct was against the integrity of the competition."

The uncertainty over Griezmann's future could not have come at a worse time for Atletico as it prepares for next week's Europa League final against Marseille in Lyon, France.

"We're fed up with Barcelona's attitude," Marin added.

"That a president, player and a board member speak the way they've done about the future of a player with an existing contract and just a few days before contesting a European final, is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico."

He said Atletico would be demanding compensation from Barca should "the player exercise his right to nullify his contract due to their pressure throughout the season".

Marin finished off by declaring "enough is enough".

"I hope this statement serves its purpose and that us Atletico fans can enjoy this moment and prepare ourselves for a final like we should," he said.

Marin's plea followed a report by Cadena Cope radio station that "Barcelona has told Atletico Madrid it is going to pay Griezmann's get-out clause, and Atletico knows the player will be leaving at the end of the season".

That came after Atletico president Enrique Cerezo refused to clarify Griezmann's future after domestic media suggested he had met the player for dinner in a bid to persuade him to stay with the promise of a more lucrative new contract.

Cerezo has denied meeting Griezmann for talks but the Atletico president was not definitive on the future of the 27-year-old, who has also been strongly linked with Manchester United in recent seasons.

Agence France-Presse