Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has slammed Arthur for deciding against returning to compete in Barcelona’s remaining Champions League campaign.
Quique Setien’s side face Napoli on August 8 in the second leg of their last-16 tie with their first match in Italy ending 1-1.
While the Catalans will back themselves to progress at home, they’ll have to do so without Arthur, who has decided he won’t play for Barcelona again after sealing a move to Juventus.
Arthur’s move to Turin was done with the assumption he would see out the season with Setien’s side, but the midfielder has opted not to return to Spain after being granted leave following the end of the La Liga season.
Bartomeu didn’t mince his words when asked about Arthur’s actions and declared it “an unacceptable act of indiscipline”.
“What Arthur has done shows a lack of respect for his team-mates because the team wants to do well in the Champions League,” Bartomeu told SPORT.
“It is not logical that playing for such an important title, a player decides to remove himself. It is unjustifiable and totally incomprehensible.
“We reached the agreement that until the Champions League ended he would continue playing for Barca, both in the league and in the Champions League. He is a player who has a certain importance in the team and who could help us. Continue reading