Neymar cleared to make PSG debut


Neymar is expected to make his long-awaited debut with Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in the small Britany town of Guingamp after French football authorities finally received the Brazil star's international transfer certificate (ITC).

The French football federation said on Friday it had received the document from its Spanish counterpart, more than a week after PSG signed the Brazilian from Barcelona. The French football league then told The Associated Press that the ITC had been submitted by the federation and that Neymar's transfer would be ratified later Friday, clearing the way for him to play at Guingamp on Sunday night.

The hold-up prevented Neymar from making his PSG debut last Saturday against Amiens after completing his world-record 222 million euro ($262 million) transfer. PSG wanted Neymar to start the season at the Parc des Princes but his debut was delayed because of the paperwork issues. Neymar was unveiled to the PSG fans on Saturday but could only watch from the stands as his new team started its league campaign with a 2-0 win.

Barcelona said there was nothing strange about the situation and that the wait was due to the banks. There has been speculation in France that Barcelona slowed down the whole process as a retaliation measure against PSG after the French league club lured one of its three biggest stars out of the Camp Nou.