Novorizontino will not pay clause, Rômulo out of Paulistão final first leg | OneFootball

Rômulo will miss the first leg of the Campeonato Paulista final after Novorizontino decided not to pay Palmeiras a R$ 1 million fee to field him on Wednesday at 20:00, at the Arena Crefisa Barueri.

According to Globo.com, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira said the club would not waive the contractual amount and that no deal was on the table. Novorizontino had explored the possibility of an arrangement, but Palmeiras’ board dismissed it.

On the same day, Novorizontino chief Genilson Rocha Santos signalled the fee would not be paid, and by Tuesday the decision was confirmed. The Aurinegro still consider the possibility of having the midfielder available for Sunday’s return in Novo Horizonte.

The midfielder has been one of Novorizontino’s standouts in the competition, scoring five goals. He is the side’s second-top scorer, behind Robson on seven.

Despite the wish to include him, Novorizontino did not have the resources to cover a cost viewed as beyond their means. Head coach Enderson Moreira has prepared the side without Rômulo.

The return leg is on Sunday at 20:30 at the Estádio Jorge Ismael de Biasi in Novo Horizonte.

Source: Globo.com