Barcelona Faces New Challenges in Player Registrations Amid Financial Turmoil

Barcelona, Spain – FC Barcelona is facing renewed uncertainty regarding the player registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor after La Liga announced that the club lacks the financial capacity for their registration.

This announcement, made on April 2, comes just days before a crucial Copa del Rey semi-final match against Atlético Madrid. La Liga’s statement contradicts earlier agreements that provisionally allowed the players to compete this season based on the sale of VIP boxes, totaling €100 million, that was anticipated to ease Barcelona’s financial constraints.

La Liga officials have expressed concerns about the handling of the VIP box sale by Barcelona, stating the transaction was not reflected appropriately in the club’s accounts submitted for the 2024-25 season. They reported that on December 31, 2024, and January 3, 2025, the club had no financial room to register Olmo and Víctor, potentially invalidating their temporary registrations.

“Barcelona did not have the financial fair play capacity for the registration of players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor,” La Liga’s statement read. “As a result of not complying with the financial regulations, the club faces a reduction in their sports payroll cost limit, which will further complicate future player registrations.”

Barcelona initially secured temporary licenses for Olmo and Víctor after missing a compliance deadline due to an injury-related registration strategy. The club had appealed its situation and obtained a temporary reinstatement from Spain’s sports council, but that provisional allowance expires soon.

During a recent luncheon, Barcelona president Joan Laporta criticized La Liga, suggesting the timing of their announcement was aimed at destabilizing the club as they prepare for a key match. “Today we are playing a final against Atlético, and the reactivation of controversies isn’t a coincidence,” Laporta said. “If they can’t beat us on the field, they want to beat us in the offices.”

Laporta also promised a legal response to La Liga’s claims, asserting that the club had met all regulatory requirements regarding Olmo and Víctor’s registrations. “They want to attack our interests,” he said. “La Liga approved their signings, and now they’ve changed their minds.”

Dani Olmo, who transferred from RB Leipzig last summer for approximately €60 million, is sidelined with an injury but has contributed significantly to the team this season, with 28 appearances, eight goals, and five assists. Pau Víctor has recorded five substitute appearances.

The situation highlights the ongoing financial struggles faced by Barcelona, with La Liga emphasizing strict enforcement of financial fair play regulations to ensure clubs operate within their means.