The winger Jonas Gutierrez, nicknamed Spiderman, left Mallorca for Newcastle United under FIFA’s Article 17 ruling last summer.

The controversial clause allows players aged between 23 and 28 to buy themselves out of an existing contract if they have been at the same club for three years.

Mallorca claim that the player did not buy out his contract and have launched a civil claim and are looking to take the English club to a tribunal in February.

They are claiming they had a deal with Portsmouth on the table which could have seen them net at least 9.2m euros and are looking for compensation.

Mallorca value the player at 14m euros and are claiming the full amount but they are hoping an out-of-court settlement can be reached for the fee Pompey were willing to hand over.

FIFA have shown support for Newcastle so far in the matter. Mallorca have set a court date of 5 February 2009 in Palma. (DM)