1 week Ago By Anthony Nlebem
La Liga has filed an official appeal and requested precautionary measures against the Spanish Sports Council’s (CSD) ruling that authorised Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to participate for the remainder of the season. In a statement, the Spanish top-flight governing body called for “an urgent judicial response” in the interest of sporting fairness, arguing that the CSD’s resolution “violates” the league’s financial control regulations. Read Also: 6 African stars who made big moves in La Liga January transfer window The CSD, acting as arbiter in the dispute between La Liga and Barcelona, ruled in favour of the Catalan club on April 3.
It deemed the cancellation of the players’ registrations “null and void,” thereby allowing midfielder Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig, and young striker Victor to continue featuring for the team. La Liga, however, immediately contested the decision, asserting it was “not in accordance with the law.” According to the league, Olmo and Victor were granted temporary registrations at the start of the season due to an injury to defender Andreas Christensen, but their licences “automatically expired” on December 31.
Barcelona had expected to resolve their financial constraints by January through a €100 million ($109 million) deal involving the sale of VIP boxes at the under-construction Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors over 20 years. This revenue was critical for meeting financial fair play (FFP) requirements. However, La Liga now claims that the funds from the VIP box transaction were never officially recorded in the club’s profit and loss accounts.
“No amount from the (VIP box deal) is ultimately recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to what had been certified by the club and the auditor at the time of said transaction,” the league stated. Olmo and Victor had already received temporary approval to play back in January, pending a final decision — one that now faces further scrutiny with La Liga’s latest challenge. Barcelona has struggled with financial instability for several years.
In 2022, the club sold portions of its commercial assets and future television rights to facilitate high-profile signings such as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. With La Liga tightening its oversight, Barcelona’s transfer ambitions this summer may be severely restricted unless significant player sales are completed to rebalance the books..
