Danish Players Association Director says Barcelona are harassing 31-year-old forward

Michael Sahl Hansen, director of the Danish Players Association, has lashed out at Barcelona for their treatment of Martin Braithwaite.

The 31-year-old forward has been at the club for over two years, having arrived from CD Leganes in February 2020 as an emergency signing amidst an injury crisis at the club.

While the Dane was never really a regular, he did his bit when given an opportunity and had won over the fans with his attitude and determination to help the club. He started the last season well before an injury sidelined him for a long time.

Upon his return, Braithwaite had fallen out of favour, with a new manager in Xavi taking over the reins. The arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres in January only made matters worse for the former Middlesbrough striker.

Braithwaite has been told that he is no longer needed at the club and has been asked to find a new team for himself. However, the 31-year-old has been reluctant to leave as he still has two years left on his contract.

Given the player’s stance, Barça are considering the prospect of terminating his contract unilaterally. This has now sparked a reaction from Michael Sahl Hansen, who has condemned the Blaugrana’s handling of the situation, calling it ‘harrassment’.

As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, he said: “The treatment that Braithwaite is experiencing is completely unreasonable. Something that falls somewhere between intimidation and harassment. It’s shameful how Barcelona is trying to get him out of his contract.

“Barcelona want to kick out a player that came to rescue them. Where is their decency? Unfortunately, we can’t do anything to help Martin because Barça have not broken any rule.”

Further discussing the situation, the director of the Danish Players Association added: “A contract is a contract and FC Barcelona and Martin committed themselves for two more years.

“Martin must continue to fulfill his part of the agreement. And so must FC Barcelona. And besides, it would correspond to one of the biggest clubs in the world treat their players with greater respect.”

Barcelona have come under criticism for their handling of the contract situations of some of the players.

Their attempts to force Frenkie de Jong to leave or decrease his salary have been condemned by the Dutch players’ union while former Netherlands international, Rafael van der Vaart, likened the club’s behaviour to the ‘mafia’.