NEY BOTHER
Neymar set for PSG punishment after he FAILS to appear for pre-season training amid Barcelona links – but father claims the club knew he’d be missing
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NEYMAR appears set for punishment from Paris Saint-Germain after going AWOL from training - but his father claims the club knew he wouldn't be there.
The forward, who continues to be linked with a return to Barcelona, was in Brazil over the weekend to see his national team-mates win the Copa America.
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Ligue 1 giants PSG have vowed to take action against the star as other first-team players met up back in Paris.
In a statement on their website, the French club said they "deplore the situation" and will take "appropriate measures" against the 27-year-old.
It read: "Neymar was summoned for the resumption of activities of the [first-team] of Paris Saint-Germain.
"PSG have found that the player, Neymar, did not show up at the agreed time and place, without having been authorised by the club in advance.
"PSG deplores this situation and will take the appropriate measures resulting from it."
However, in an interview with , Neymar's father and agent, Neymar Sr, claimed the club knew the forward wouldn't be back until July 16 because of a prior engagement with his charitable foundation.
Neymar Sr said: "The reason is known, scheduled a year ago with the annual schedule of Instituto Projeto Neymar.
"We could not change, and the presentation will be on the 15th. It is that simple... no controversy, and PSG [was] informed."
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'WE KNOW HE WANTS TO LEAVE'
Over the weekend, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed that Neymar wanted to leave the Parc des Princes.
He said: "We know that Neymar wants to leave PSG, but PSG don't want Neymar to leave, so there is no story," he said.
"I know he wants to leave PSG because I've read it in the press."
In addition, he told Friday's press conference that Lionel Messi was not dictating Barca's transfer policy.
"Messi never asked for players, let's finish with that myth," Bartomeu noted. "The decision is always made by club bosses."
PSG have already seen Gianluigi Buffon, Dani Alves and Adrien Rabiot leave the club this summer.
However, Ander Herrera was announced as a free transfer from Manchester United earlier on Monday.
The Spaniard said: "I don't like looking to the past too much, but there were differences regarding the project and my importance within it.
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"I was very happy there, I have a lot to thank the club, fans and Solskjaer for. He did a lot to convince me to stay, but things didn't happen like that.
"Their offer arrived late and by then I had already made the decision to play in Paris.
"I'm very happy today because I made that decision."
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