EX-BARCELONA midfielder Matheus Fernandes has slammed his former employers after he was allegedly sacked via email.
The 23-year-old left the Nou Camp in June after playing just SEVENTEEN minutes of football for the Catalan giants.
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Fernandes joined Barcelona last September after the club agreed a reported £8.5m fee with Palmeiras six months earlier.
The midfielder made just one appearance for Barca, coming on as a second-half substitute in a Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev in November.
Fernandes has since re-joined Palmeiras after Barcelona terminated his contract – and the player claims he was notified electronically.
Speaking to Globo Esporte in a recent interview, the player said: “I didn’t know [about being released] – and when they told me I couldn’t believe it.
“I was at home, I was going out with my wife and I received a message from the club asking if I had the same email address.
“I confirmed and then received it.”
SEE YOU IN COURT
Fernandes is now looking to sue Barca for unfair dismissal and is willing to take the club to court, according to Radio Barcelona via Marca.
The LaLiga side are believed to be struggling financially, with captain Lionel Messi’s new contract still to be finalised.
Reports suggest Barcelona are willing to take several players – including long-serving star Jordi Alba – to court if they reject pay cuts.
Fernandes added: “I didn’t understand it, I sent it to my manager and lawyer. They said it was my dismissal.
“Time passed and my name came out in the press. No conversation, nothing, they didn’t even call to say hello and goodbye.
“I always had the dream as a child to play for Barcelona. When I got there, they didn’t treat me as a footballer.
“I told the director that he didn’t treat me like a professional Barcelona player.
“I was a Barcelona player, and I wanted to be treated like one. The other signings had a presentation and I didn’t. I was upset.
“Looking at it from the outside I thought one thing but when I got there they treated me differently.”
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