Barcelona’s Battle with LaLiga: Olmo and Víctor Cleared to Play
In a dramatic turn of events, Spain’s sports ministry, the CSD, has ruled that Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor can continue to play for Barcelona until the end of the season. This decision, announced on Thursday, comes after a prolonged dispute involving LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the players’ registrations.
The saga began when the CSD initially granted Olmo and Víctor temporary registrations in January. This was a stopgap measure while they assessed Barcelona’s appeal against LaLiga and the RFEF’s decision to revoke the duo’s registrations. The crux of the issue was Barcelona’s alleged failure to meet a December 31 deadline to prove compliance with financial regulations, a claim LaLiga has been adamant about.
LaLiga’s argument is straightforward: Barcelona missed the deadline and has “never had” the financial capacity to register Olmo and Víctor within the league-imposed spending limit. However, the CSD has taken a different stance, emphasizing the players’ right to work. They argue that the committee comprising LaLiga and the RFEF did not have the jurisdiction to make such a decision, rendering it void.
In their ruling, the CSD made it clear that their decision was reached after considering all parties’ arguments, without factoring in LaLiga’s financial regulations. As a result, Olmo and Víctor’s registrations have been officially extended until June 30.
The Timeline of Events
- December 31: Barcelona misses the deadline to prove compliance with LaLiga’s financial regulations.
- January 3: LaLiga confirms Barcelona’s sale of VIP seats at Spotify Camp Nou for €100 million, bringing the club back within regulations.
- January: CSD grants temporary registrations to Olmo and Víctor while analyzing the case.
- April 3: CSD rules in favor of Barcelona, allowing Olmo and Víctor to play until the end of the season.
The issue has been ongoing since the turn of the year when Barcelona missed the crucial December 31 deadline. The players initially received temporary registrations for the first half of the season, thanks to a league rule allowing them to be registered in place of a long-term injured player, Andreas Christensen.
LaLiga confirmed on January 3 that Barcelona’s sale of VIP seats at the Spotify Camp Nou, which is currently undergoing redevelopment, for €100 million had brought the club back within the financial regulations. However, a joint LaLiga-RFEF commission stated that the window to prolong Olmo and Víctor’s registrations had already passed.
Barcelona, not one to back down easily, appealed this decision to the CSD. The CSD agreed to reinstate the registrations while they took a closer look at the case over a three-month period, which concluded this week.
Since then, LaLiga has raised questions about the €100 million VIP seat deal, threatening to report the unnamed auditor Barcelona used to verify the sale. Interestingly, this deal was not recorded in the accounts Barcelona submitted to LaLiga last week for the 2024-25 season, which were approved by a different auditor.
Player Performances Amidst the Chaos
Despite the off-field drama, Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor have been making their mark on the pitch. Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig last summer for around €60 million, is currently sidelined with an adductor injury. This injury is expected to keep him out until mid-April. Since the CSD’s January ruling, the Spain international has made 13 appearances in all competitions, including seven in LaLiga, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
On the other hand, Víctor has had a quieter presence, featuring just five times in the same period. All of his appearances have come as a substitute, but his potential is undeniable.
As the season progresses, Barcelona fans will be eager to see how Olmo and Víctor contribute to the team’s success. With the CSD’s ruling in their favor, the focus can now shift back to the beautiful game, leaving the legal battles behind, at least for now.
Originally Written by: Sam Marsden,Moises Llorens
