Madrid (AFP)

Antoine Griezmann persists and signs: as he had threatened the day before, the French international, courted by Barca, did not show up at the training of Atlético Madrid this Sunday at 20:30 (18H30 GMT) .

The conflict is now open between the "Atléti" and his star striker.

"Griezmann has received an official invitation from the club for 20:30 this Sunday and did not show up," said a spokesman for the Madrid club. "A procedure has been opened and his case will be studied".

"Whether he communicates or does not communicate, it does not change anything.It is under contract with our club until 2023 and must resume training (Sunday) like other players," had warned the spokesman of the club Saturday, brandishing the threat of a sanction "like any player who does not show up at an official summons of his club".

Since the words of the President of Barcelona, ​​Josep Maria Bartomeu, released in front of the press Friday, the war of nerves is declared.

According to Bartomeu, Barça met Thursday with the club Madrid to try to recruit the French without going through its release clause (EUR 120 million): activate such a clause involves paying cash and paying more taxes .

- "A lack of respect" -

Atlético, however, reacted violently to this announcement: in an unusually virulent statement, the Madrid club confirmed the holding of this meeting, while reproaching Griezmann and Barça for having unknowingly found an agreement for a transfer from March, in full competition.

The club Colchoneros even added that he had refused Thursday to grant Barça facilities for payment for the release clause. "Atlético Madrid's response was obviously negative, as both FC Barcelona and the player showed a lack of respect," he said.

This probable start at Atlético fishtail does not guarantee to Griezmann - who announced to want to leave "Atléti" two months ago - a benevolent welcome at Camp Nou: he had wiped a few whistles in early April to have announced in the summer of 2018 that he refused a first approach of Barça.

Anyway, the expected recruitment of Griezmann should be a first big blow for the Catalan club, engaged in a deep overhaul of its workforce after a mixed season, completed on a title of champion of Spain but on a humiliation in Champions League.

Arrived at Atlético in 2014 from Real Sociedad, Antoine Griezmann, 28, is under contract with the club Madrid until 2023.

? 2019 AFP