Barcelona respond to accusations of "abusive behaviour" by teenage forward Gio

Barcelona insisted they "acted properly" after Brazilian forward Gio made accusations of "abusive behaviour" in regards to her time at the club on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old, also known as Giovana Queiroz, joined Barcelona in July 2020 and is currently on loan at fellow Spanish club Levante. Gio is viewed as one of the best youngsters in the women's game and has already won five senior caps for Brazil.

But she's yet to make a first-team appearance for Barcelona and believes she was mistreated after going away with her national side. Gio was also eligible to play for Spain and the US after representing both countries at U17 level.

In an open letter, Gio said she got on "very well" with the coaching staff on arriving at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. They had a "good dynamic" for some time "until I received the first call from the Brazilian national team" in October 2020, during the Covid pandemic.

Gio claims she was "subjected to illegal confinement when trying to report for international duty. At the time, travelling was problematic due to the pandemic, with many needing to complete spells in quarantine.

"She [the doctor] claimed that she [Gio] would be a close contact of a positive Covid case," wrote Gio. "From the beginning I sensed that the real reasons for the confinement were others. As the doctor's order was contrary to health protocol, I contacted the Catalan Health Department directly and asked for clarification.

"The answer was clear and forceful. My case was not and could not be considered a close contact according to the current health protocol. When questioned, she replied, 'Your case is different. I was authorised to make a special confinement for you.' I, indignant, still asked: 'How special?' She avoided the