Barcelona finds itself in a challenging situation, as the club struggles to register its new footballers, Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, due to some late-arriving funds and a missed deadline for LaLiga’s financial rules. This unfortunate turn of events has turned out to be yet another chapter in the story of Barcelona’s ongoing battle with financial difficulties.
Why Olmo and Víctor’s registrations have failed
Despite receiving €28 million from sales of VIP boxes at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona was unable to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor on time. The crucial payment aimed at fulfilling LaLiga’s requirements came in too late, with the deadline set for December 31st. Because of this delay, LaLiga has unregistered both players, as compliance with financial fair play is a must for every club.
Barça’s previous financial manoeuvres
The situation paints a worrying picture for Barcelona, which has been grappling with a staggering €1.2 billion debt following the turbulent years of 2021. Initially, Olmo and Pau Víctor were temporarily registered to allow the team to make the best of their skills on the field, especially after Andreas Christensen’s injury opened that window. However, despite Barcelona’s attempts to maneuver through the tough financial landscape, including challenging LaLiga’s financial fair play rules in court, the club lost two significant cases that further complicated their situation.
Challenges of the financial fair play rules
The rules placed by LaLiga are designed to ensure clubs operate within their means and develop sustainably. Barcelona’s effort to secure Olmo and Víctor hinged on timely financial reporting, which ultimately fell through. By the time they submitted the necessary paperwork to LaLiga post-payment, it was deemed too late, leading to an immediate rejection of the application. The club plans to counter this rejection legally, suggesting that this saga may not be over for the two talented players.
What next for Olmo and Víctor?
As for the new signings, the future remains uncertain. Both Olmo and Víctor may stay unregistered for quite some time. Olmo’s contract even allows for a special release clause if he remains unregistered, which leaves the door open for potential changes. Interestingly, his agent has indicated that Olmo is keen to stay with Barcelona, but the hurdles around registration will require some serious negotiations for a temporary move if they arise.
Looking forward
This setback for Barcelona highlights the broader issues within the footballing world where financial struggles seem to be a growing theme for many clubs globally. As the winter transfer window approaches, fans and analysts alike wonder if Barcelona can find ways to navigate their financial hurdles. The catch-22 of needing new players to improve the team while being hindered by restrictions will continue to cause concerns among supporters. Hopes are high that Barcelona will not only find solutions to register Olmo and Pau Víctor but also make their mark on the field before the end of the season.