Netherlands international Memphis Depay said on Tuesday that Brazilian club Corinthians had breached an agreement by opting not to extend his contract.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward joined Corinthians on a two-year contract in 2024, winning the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year. He made 79 appearances and scored 20 goals in all competitions.
“This renewal was explicitly agreed upon by the president as well as the sporting, legal and financial department. Some people decided however to breach this engagement,” Depay wrote on social media.
“I didn’t want this situation and always respected the club throughout the process, but now I am forced to react strongly in order to preserve my interests.
“In the upcoming days I will speak publicly but rest assured that I will not leave this unacceptable behaviour unsanctioned.”
Corinthians did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Sao Paulo-based club, who are seventh in Brazil’s Serie A, said earlier that the decision not to extend the 32-year-old’s contract was due to finances.
“It became clear that taking on a new commitment of this magnitude would not be compatible with the financial balance we need to preserve to ensure the institution’s sustainability,” they added.
“We recognise that this was a difficult decision, but it was undoubtedly necessary for the future of Corinthians.”
The club added that their president, Osmar Stabile, would hold a press conference to address the decision.- Reuters
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Women’s U-20 World Cup remain on schedule
Hosts Poland said on Tuesday that preparations for next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup remain on schedule, as the tournament prepares to become the first FIFA event staged amid the backlash against global football chief Gianni Infantino.
It will be the first FIFA competition since UEFA’s 55 member associations unanimously voted to support a boycott of FIFA events after Infantino proposed and then abandoned a plan to carve off the commercial rights to the World Cup and sell 20 per cent of them to private investors to raise about $4.2 billion.
That triggered a massive football governance dispute.
“Preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup are progressing according to the agreed schedule and have now entered their final stage,” the Polish federation said in a statement to Reuters.
“The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has not received any information regarding the possible withdrawal of any participating team from the tournament. We believe that the current situation will be resolved swiftly.
“For many of these young players, this tournament represents an important milestone in their sporting careers, and we remain fully focused on delivering an event worthy of their talent and commitment.”
New Zealand have joined France in confirming they intend to compete at the tournament, which runs from September 5 to 27.
“New Zealand Football is sending a team to the U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Poland next month. The tournament is critical in the development for the women’s game,” a New Zealand Football spokesperson told Reuters on Tuesday.
France became the first nation to confirm participation in the 24-team tournament.
England’s FA and Canada Soccer said they had no comment at this time, while the U.S. are expected to attend the tournament. The U.S. Soccer federation declined to comment.
European soccer governing body UEFA doubled down on its boycott threat last week.
“UEFA’s associations were very clear about the conditions attached to the non-participation in FIFA competitions,” the European football federation said in a statement.
FIFA’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled for October in Morocco, and European nations including World Cup runners-up England have scheduled qualifying matches for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.-Reuters
