Barcelona's Financial Troubles: Olmo & Victor's Future Uncertain
Barcelona's Financial Fair Play Compliance Questioned Amidst Olmo and Victor Registration Dispute
Barcelona's financial stability is once again under scrutiny as La Liga challenges the club's registration of players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. The dispute centers around a €100 million deal involving the sale of VIP boxes at the Camp Nou stadium, which La Liga claims was not accurately reflected in Barcelona's financial statements submitted for the 2024-25 season.
La Liga asserts that Barcelona lacked the necessary financial capacity to register Olmo and Victor on December 31, 2024, January 3, 2025, or at any point since. The league points to discrepancies between the €100 million reported from the VIP box sale – used to justify the players' initial temporary registrations in January – and the figures presented in the club's financial accounts. La Liga further alleges that the deal was approved by an unnamed auditor, different from the one who approved Barcelona's submitted accounts. This discrepancy prompted La Liga to report the unnamed auditor to Spain's Institute of Accounting and Auditing of Accounts (ICAC) and to inform the CSD (Spain's sports ministry) of the situation. Consequently, La Liga has reduced Barcelona's spending limit.
The CSD, following an appeal from Barcelona, initially reinstated Olmo and Victor's registrations in January, granting them temporary licenses. However, this decision sparked outrage across La Liga, with prominent figures voicing their concerns. A final decision on the players' registration status is expected from the CSD before April 7.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta vehemently rejected La Liga's claims, characterizing the league's actions as an attempt to destabilize the club, particularly given the timing coinciding with Barcelona's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid. Laporta insists that the club followed all regulations in registering Olmo and Victor and stated that Barcelona's legal team will respond forcefully to La Liga's assertions. Olmo, signed from RB Leipzig last summer, has made 13 appearances since the CSD's ruling, while Victor has appeared in five matches during the same period. The future of both players at Barcelona hangs in the balance pending the CSD's final decision.
Barcelona's financial stability is once again under scrutiny as La Liga challenges the club's registration of players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. The dispute centers around a €100 million deal involving the sale of VIP boxes at the Camp Nou stadium, which La Liga claims was not accurately reflected in Barcelona's financial statements submitted for the 2024-25 season.
La Liga asserts that Barcelona lacked the necessary financial capacity to register Olmo and Victor on December 31, 2024, January 3, 2025, or at any point since. The league points to discrepancies between the €100 million reported from the VIP box sale – used to justify the players' initial temporary registrations in January – and the figures presented in the club's financial accounts. La Liga further alleges that the deal was approved by an unnamed auditor, different from the one who approved Barcelona's submitted accounts. This discrepancy prompted La Liga to report the unnamed auditor to Spain's Institute of Accounting and Auditing of Accounts (ICAC) and to inform the CSD (Spain's sports ministry) of the situation. Consequently, La Liga has reduced Barcelona's spending limit.
The CSD, following an appeal from Barcelona, initially reinstated Olmo and Victor's registrations in January, granting them temporary licenses. However, this decision sparked outrage across La Liga, with prominent figures voicing their concerns. A final decision on the players' registration status is expected from the CSD before April 7.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta vehemently rejected La Liga's claims, characterizing the league's actions as an attempt to destabilize the club, particularly given the timing coinciding with Barcelona's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid. Laporta insists that the club followed all regulations in registering Olmo and Victor and stated that Barcelona's legal team will respond forcefully to La Liga's assertions. Olmo, signed from RB Leipzig last summer, has made 13 appearances since the CSD's ruling, while Victor has appeared in five matches during the same period. The future of both players at Barcelona hangs in the balance pending the CSD's final decision.
