Barcelona‘s decision to temporarily register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor has caused a stir in Spanish football.
The country’s top sports court, the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), granted the Catalan club the right to register the players temporarily.
However, the move has faced strong criticism from rival clubs, especially Athletic Club and Las Palmas, raising questions about fairness in football regulations.
The Registration Controversy
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor were initially blocked from registering by La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Barcelona had missed a crucial deadline to prove compliance with La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Despite this setback, the club appealed to the CSD, which granted a provisional registration, allowing the players to participate while awaiting a final decision.
This move has not been well received. Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte called it “grotesque,” suggesting that the decision was politically motivated. “It is a provisional measure,” he said. “A situation like this cannot happen because it is very bad for football.”
The Reaction from Athletic Club
Athletic Club responded quickly, voicing strong disapproval of the ruling. Uriarte expressed disbelief, calling it an “incredible” situation. His club had been working hard to grow Spanish football, only to face what they view as an unjust decision.
Uriarte emphasized that such rulings damage the reputation of Spanish football. This frustration was compounded by Athletic’s 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal.
Las Palmas also joined the protest, issuing a statement condemning the CSD’s decision. The club warned that the ruling could destabilize Spanish football and undermine the competition’s integrity. They also criticized the fact that the decision was made without consulting La Liga or the RFEF.
Barcelona Defends Its Actions
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, defended the club’s actions, asserting that every club faces its own set of challenges.
“We’re doing things well at Barça, trying to do things in the best way possible,” Deco said. He pointed out that the governing bodies and courts had granted the registration for a reason, implying the decision was valid.
Athletic’s Iñaki Williams also expressed surprise at the ruling. He said it felt like the rules were not applied equally to all clubs.
However, he acknowledged that the decision had been made, suggesting that it was a complex issue affecting Spanish football.
La Liga Weighs In
La Liga president Javier Tebas voiced his own surprise at the CSD’s ruling. He questioned why Real Madrid TV, which often criticizes La Liga’s decisions, had been silent on the issue.
Tebas expressed concern that the ruling did not represent the collective voice of Spanish football. His remarks highlight the growing division between football’s governing bodies in Spain.
A Temporary Solution
For now, Barcelona can count on Olmo and Víctor, who will be available for Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final.
This provides a much-needed boost to the team. Olmo, a €60 million summer signing from RB Leipzig, and Víctor, who joined from Girona, are both important players for Barcelona. They will be available for up to three months, pending a final decision on their registration.
The court has set a deadline of April 7th to make a final ruling. If the CSD confirms the registration, the players will remain available for the remainder of the season. If not, Barcelona will lose two key players.
The Bigger Picture
While Barcelona is pleased with the temporary registration, other clubs like Atlético Madrid have expressed concern about the long-term effects.
Atlético fears that this decision undermines the financial control mechanisms that have made La Liga a financially stable league. The club believes the ruling opens the door for clubs to bypass financial rules, which could lead to unfair competition.
In conclusion, the temporary registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor has stirred significant controversy in Spanish football. While Barcelona celebrates the decision, rival clubs are worried about the impact on the competition’s fairness.
With a final decision from the CSD expected in April, it’s clear that this issue will continue to divide opinion in Spanish football.
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