Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor have received temporary playing registrations as Spain’s highest sports court examines Barcelona’s situation with LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD) has determined that both players can participate until a final decision is reached in the ongoing case. However, neither was included in the squad for Barcelona’s recent 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup.
LaLiga has expressed its disagreement with the CSD’s ruling and is contemplating filing an appeal. The league stated, “The content of the resolution will be studied carefully to present the appropriate appeals, while also expressing its absolute disagreement with it.”
After the Super Cup match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick voiced his relief regarding the situation. “I am really happy for these two guys, but I am also happy for the whole team,” he said. Flick noted that this decision served as a positive indicator for the team and emphasized the unity within the club.
The challenge stems from a missed registration deadline on December 31, when Barcelona did not provide evidence that they complied with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. LaLiga later confirmed that Barcelona was able to meet certain requirements by January 3, which subsequently allowed for an extension of their spending cap. Nevertheless, LaLiga reiterated that players with canceled registrations cannot be re-registered for the same season.
In response, Barcelona contested the ruling to the CSD, providing a detailed 52-page report defending their stance. Though a final decision from the CSD could be delayed for up to three months, expectations suggest it may be resolved sooner. In the meantime, Olmo and Víctor are eligible to play for Barcelona, although they missed the semifinal match; they will be available for the final on Sunday against either Real Madrid or Mallorca.
Both players joined Barcelona permanently last summer and their temporary registration follows a provision which allows clubs to assign up to 80% of the salary from an injured player to their replacements, a rule applicable in this case due to Andreas Christensen’s injury.
In summary, the temporary clearance for Olmo and Víctor showcases Barcelona’s proactive measures to ensure their competitiveness amid regulatory challenges. This development signals hope for both the players and the team as they prepare for upcoming challenges, reinforcing the idea that resilience and adaptability are crucial in the world of sports.