In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through Spanish football, Barcelona has secured player registrations through government intervention, bypassing LaLiga's financial compliance rules.
The Spanish Sports Council (CSD) granted temporary playing registrations for Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, despite Barcelona failing to meet LaLiga's December 31 financial compliance deadline. This extraordinary decision effectively overturned previous registration denials from both LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte voiced strong opposition before his team's 2-0 Spanish Supercopa semifinal defeat to Barcelona in Jeddah. "It is a provisional measure taken by a political body," Uriarte stated. He emphasized the paradox of clubs being urged to develop competitions and participate in international tournaments while facing what he described as "grotesque" regulatory decisions.
Barcelona's sporting director Deco mounted a defense of the club's position, suggesting rival clubs should mind their own business. "We're doing things well at Barça, trying to do things in the best way possible," Deco asserted. "If they have given [the players registrations] for the moment, there is a reason for that."
Athletic forward Iñaki Williams raised concerns about equality in Spanish football's governance. "It seems that the rules are not the same for everyone," Williams remarked, while expressing personal happiness for the affected players.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas added fuel to the fire by calling out Real Madrid TV's silence on the matter. "CSD president seems to hear a single voice, which does not represent Spanish professional football," Tebas wrote on social media.
The controversial ruling enables Olmo, acquired for €60 million from RB Leipzig, and Víctor, a summer signing from Girona, to participate in Sunday's Spanish Supercopa final, having missed Wednesday's semifinal match.
