Relations at boardroom level between Villarreal and Atletico Madrid have become strained after the latter signed a youth player, say reports in Spain.
Los Rojiblancos signed Villarreal youngster German Valera with the Yellow Submarine claiming it broke an unwritten rule of ‘tapping up’ Under-16 players.
The Europa League winners insist they have done nothing wrong but Villarreal have cancelled the pre-match lunch between directors of both sides.
“Those of us who look after the youth teams are not protected,” Villarreal president Fernando Roig (pictured, left) is cited as saying by Cadena Cope.
“We have not broken any relationship with anyone, but there will be no food for the directors. We do not sign a player who has a contract in force.”
