Griezmann scored his third goal for Barcelona
After Leo Messi, Griezmann is expected to leave Barcelona in the 2021 summer window. AFP / LLUIS GENE

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Thursday declared that FC Barcelona illegally negotiated with Antoine Griezmann before paying his release clause to Atletico Madrid.

There was a hullabaloo on social media after RFEF announced a fine of mere €300 ($328) to Barcelona, one of the richest footballing clubs in the world, with many criticizing the relatively small amount.

Griezmann's buyout clause was as much as €200 million ($218 m) last season, which dropped to € 120m and that's when Barcelona signed him. However, Atletico later filed a complaint against the La Liga champions. They felt Griezmann started talks with Barcelona sometime around March while he was still with the former.

While Atletico said Barcelona must pay the difference of € 80m, RFEF was not helpful there because of lack of proof.

In addition to that, RFEF also pointed out that Atletico had announced Griezmann's exit well before the transfer window. On May 14, Atletico posted a video confirming Griezmann would no longer be with them the following season.

“It is important to highlight that the contacts between FC Barcelona occurred once the player had manifested his intention to leave Atlético Madrid,” RFEF said in a statement.

Barcelona were supposed to receive a punishment in the form of a fine or close its home stadium, Camp Nou, for a match. However, RFEF felt the case against the Spanish giants was not strong enough to impose the latter punishment.

"Among these sanctions, Mr. Instructor proposes to this Committee Competition that the punishment be either a fine of 300 euros or closing of the Camp Nou for a match. It is clear that the economic sanction - in the absence of circumstances that aggravate the conduct, the fine must be imposed in its medium degree. However, this is not a sufficient reason for this Committee to opt for the sanction of the closing of the stadium by a match. That seems to be intended for violations of another nature," the RFEF said in the statement.

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