Cristiano attacked over unpaid transfer fee

Flamengo has surprised many with a scathing statement directed at UD Almería, drawing attention to Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star purchased 25% of the shares of the southern Spanish club. The Rio de Janeiro side is demanding payment of a debt dating back to August 2022 for the transfer of striker Lázaro Vinicius Marques.

The Brazilian club introduced the statement with a blunt message: “Almería owes Flamengo around $2.07 million after 590 days.” It then referenced the Al Nassr FC forward: “In February, Cristiano Ronaldo acquired 25% of the Spanish club.”

The rest of the statement sets out the reasons for the complaint against the Andalusian side, which is currently fighting for promotion in LaLiga Hypermotion:

“Flamengo publicly expresses its vehement repudiation of the conduct adopted by the Spanish club UD Almería for breaching the contractual obligation assumed in the transfer of the player Lázaro, completed in August 2022. After 590 days in arrears, the club has accumulated an estimated debt of more than $2.07 million, in flagrant disregard of the commitments made and the rules governing relations in international football.”

The second paragraph of the statement claims that FIFA has already recognised the debt, which Almería still refuses to pay:

“The case is objective and unequivocal. There is an express contractual obligation assigning the Spanish club responsibility for the payment or reimbursement of taxes collected in Spain. Even so, after Flamengo was forced to pay these amounts, totalling more than $1.73 million, and following a formal decision by FIFA fully recognising its right to reimbursement, Almería has chosen not to fulfil its obligation. The debt, after 590 days of delinquency, now exceeds $2.07 million.”

With months passing and Almería still refusing to resolve the matter, Flamengo has announced it will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a ruling.

“Flamengo trusts that the competent bodies, especially the Court of Arbitration for Sport, will respond appropriately to this conduct, ensuring compliance with the decisions already issued within FIFA and adherence to the commitments made,” the statement concludes.

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