La Liga says Barcelona not capable to Register Dani Olmo

Barcelona do not have the financial capacity to register forwards Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, according to La Liga.

The Catalans were initially granted temporary licenses by La Liga to register both players last summer. However, these registrations were revoked in January when La Liga determined Barcelona had failed to demonstrate compliance with the league’s financial regulations by the December 31 deadline.

Following an appeal by Barcelona, Spain’s sports council (CSD) provided temporary permission to reinstate both players, with a final ruling expected by April 7.

At the center of the dispute is a deal announced by Barcelona on January 3 to sell VIP boxes at their rebuilding Nou Camp stadium, intended to raise 100 million euros. La Liga claims this transaction was not included in the accounts Barcelona submitted to the league last week for the 2024-25 season, and that the deal had been approved by a different, unnamed auditor.

“No amount from the [VIP box deal] is ultimately recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to what had been certified by the club and the auditor at the time of said transaction,” La Liga stated, adding they were reporting the auditor to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.

The league’s statement was categorical: “Barcelona did not have on December 31, 2024, or on January 3, 2025, nor has it had since that date, nor does it currently have, [the financial fair play capacity] for the registration of the players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta strongly contested these claims, telling reporters that La Liga’s letter was “an attempt to damage the club’s image and go against FC Barcelona’s interests.” He promised a forceful legal response and questioned the timing of the announcement, which came on the day of Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

“Three months ago I said that Olmo and Pau Victor’s registrations had been carried out correctly, following each and every one of the requirements demanded by the RFEF [Spanish Football Federation] and La Liga, and this is still the case,” Laporta insisted.

Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig for £52m last summer, has made 28 appearances this season, including 13 since the CSD’s ruling. Academy product Victor has played 22 times, with five appearances since the temporary reinstatement.

The ongoing situation creates uncertainty for Barcelona, who currently lead La Liga and have reached the Champions League quarter-finals.