In a dramatic twist to the ongoing saga surrounding FC Barcelona's financial compliance, LaLiga has claimed that the club has never had the salary space necessary to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. This revelation comes as the Spanish sports ministry, known as the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), is set to make a ruling before April 7, 2025, regarding whether the duo can continue to play this season. The situation has escalated as LaLiga has raised questions about a €100 million deal that facilitated temporary registrations for Olmo and Víctor earlier in the year.
LaLiga's statement, issued on April 2, 2025, asserts that Barcelona did not possess the financial capacity to register the two players as of December 31, 2024, or January 3, 2025, dates critical to their compliance with league regulations. In fact, the league has indicated that it plans to report the unnamed auditor employed by Barcelona, who provided verification for the sale of VIP seats at Spotify Camp Nou, to Spain's Institute of Accounting and Auditing of Accounts (ICAC).
"The financial statements show Barcelona did not have on Dec. 31, 2024, nor on Jan. 3, 2025, nor since that date the capacity to register Olmo and Víctor," LaLiga stated. This assertion has not only raised eyebrows but has also led to a reduction in Barcelona's spending limit, which had previously been set at €463 million in February 2025.
Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, has vehemently defended the club's actions, labeling LaLiga's comments as an attempt to destabilize the team. Speaking at a luncheon for club directors, Laporta remarked, "Today we are playing a final against Atlético Madrid, and the reactivation of controversies of this kind isn't a coincidence. It is just another huge attempt to destabilize our team, and sometimes I get the feeling that what they can't beat us on the field, they want to beat us in the offices. As president of Barcelona, I won't allow this and I will continue to defend the club's interests."
The issue traces back to Barcelona's failure to meet a December 31 deadline to demonstrate compliance with LaLiga's financial regulations, which would have allowed the club to register Olmo and Víctor for the second half of the campaign. Initially, the two players received temporary registrations under a league rule permitting registration in place of a long-term injured player, specifically Andreas Christensen.
Despite the financial concerns, the CSD granted temporary registrations to Olmo and Víctor, allowing them to play while the case was under review. This ruling, however, has sparked outrage among rival clubs and officials, including LaLiga president Javier Tebas and Athletic Club chief Jon Uriarte, who have openly criticized the decision.
Since their registrations were reinstated, Olmo has made 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and contributing four assists, despite being sidelined with an adductor injury that is expected to keep him out until mid-April. Víctor, on the other hand, has had limited playing time, featuring just five times, all as a substitute.
Adding to the complexity, LaLiga has reported that Barcelona has engaged three different auditors in a short span of three months. The most recent auditor, appointed on December 31, provided a certificate confirming the sale of VIP seating to Middle Eastern investors as properly accounted for, a claim that subsequent auditors have disputed. Grant Thornton, which acted for Barcelona until the end of December, filed an interim financial statement that notably omitted any mention of the VIP seating sale.
As Barcelona navigates through this financial storm, they are currently enjoying a remarkable run of form, remaining unbeaten in their last 19 matches. The team is firmly in contention for three major trophies: they sit atop LaLiga, are in the Champions League quarter-finals, and are preparing for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid on April 2, 2025.
While the CSD's ruling is eagerly awaited, the situation remains fluid, with Barcelona's future in the current season hanging in the balance. Should the CSD decide to revoke the registrations of Olmo and Víctor, it could have significant implications for the club's ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.
In the meantime, the focus remains on the pitch, as Barcelona aims to solidify their position at the top of LaLiga and advance in the other tournaments. With players like Olmo and Víctor contributing to their success, the club's management is determined to fight against any administrative decisions that threaten their campaign.
