The Catalans were given a precautionary measure by the Spanish Sports Council (CSD) on Wednesday, allowing Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to play for the team temporarily.
Olmo and Victor were handed temporary licenses when they arrived in the summer, but the financially troubled team was unable to register the pair before the deadline at the end of last year.
Dani Olmo, the Barcelona forward, has been granted provisional permission to play for the club by the Spanish Sports Council (CSD). This decision comes after a series of complications regarding his registration due to Barcelona’s financial struggles and compliance with La Liga’s salary cap regulations.
Olmo, along with fellow player Pau Victor, joined Barcelona during the summer transfer window. Initially, both players were registered under temporary licenses that allowed them to participate only for the first half of the season. However, as the club faced significant financial challenges, they were unable to meet La Liga’s requirements by the December 31 deadline, which ultimately led to the cancellation of their registrations by both La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
In response to this setback, Barcelona filed an appeal with the CSD. The council reviewed the situation and decided to grant a precautionary measure that allows Olmo and Victor to play for Barcelona until a definitive ruling is made regarding their registrations. The CSD’s statement emphasized that this provisional measure suspends the previous decisions made by La Liga and the RFEF concerning the cancellation of the players’ licenses. It also maintains their validity until the appeal is resolved.
This ruling is significant not only for Olmo and Victor but also for Barcelona as a club. The CSD noted that failing to adopt this precautionary measure could lead to serious economic and sporting damage to both the club and the players. Furthermore, it could negatively impact national competitions and the Spanish national team. Although Olmo and Victor will miss Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, they will be eligible to participate in a potential final should their team advance.
Barcelona’s financial woes have been well-documented, particularly as they navigate La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules. The club had previously attempted to secure new licenses for Olmo and Victor but faced setbacks in court. In a bid to comply with financial regulations, Barcelona recently sold VIP boxes at their new Spotify Camp Nou stadium for approximately €100 million ($104 million). This sale was part of an effort to bolster their financial standing and meet La Liga’s spending cap requirements.
The CSD’s decision reflects an ongoing struggle within Spanish football regarding financial regulations and player registrations. As Barcelona continues to address its financial challenges, having Olmo available for selection could be crucial for their competitive ambitions in domestic and international competitions. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated as Barcelona awaits a final ruling on their appeal against La Liga and RFEF.