Napoli have said they will boycott a television station after the network claimed star striker Gonzalo Higuain had refused a new contract from the club.
The Argentine star has scored 29 goals in 30 league matches this season, helping the San Paolo club remain in the thick of the league title race with defending champ Juventus.
Mediaset Premium reported that the in-form No. 9 had informed the club of his decision not to extend his contract, leading to speculation that Higuain would be sold for €96 million in the summer.
La replica della #SSCNapoli al servizio televisivo su @G_Higuain trasmesso da Mediaset.https://t.co/pKADrhOHXJ
- Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) March 30, 2016
Napoli, however, have refuted the story, and have since mandated that their players no longer give interviews to the outlet.
"Napoli are appalled by Paolo Bargiggia's service which was broadcast on Mediaset, telling a series of falsehoods regarding the employment relationship between Gonzalo Higuain and SSCN," the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
"[It was] a service devoid of truthfulness and packaged without respecting any journalistic rule. No source exists which can confirm what Bargiggia says.
"Mediaset has been revolutionary in the context of Italian journalism: those times, unfortunately, are far away.
"Napoli is required, with immediate effect, to terminate immediately the journalistic relationship with Mediaset's sports networks, which therefore means our members can no longer grant interviews, even at the stadium, regardless of any trade agreement.
"Napoli and its fans are not afraid of major powers and those who wish to destabilise a relaxed environment. They do demand respect."