Barcelona midfielder Pedri has dismissed reports that the club’s players considered boycotting the Spanish national team over the controversy surrounding Dani Olmo’s registration.
Olmo and teammate Pau Victor were recently granted a temporary reprieve, allowing them to be re-registered with Barcelona while the Spanish sports ministry (CSD) reviews their case. This decision came after La Liga and the Spanish football federation initially refused to register the players for the second half of the season due to Barcelona’s financial constraints.3
Catalan channel TV3 had claimed that Barcelona’s Spanish internationals were threatening to refuse national team call-ups if Olmo’s registration was denied, as a protest against a move that would have also prevented him from representing Spain.
“People said the Spain national team players wouldn’t go [to play] but I heard that and was surprised by that, it’s a lie,” Pedri said in a press conference. “I wouldn’t say no to the national team, I love playing for the national team. It’s a lie, I hope nobody believed it.”
Pedri emphasized his commitment to the national team, highlighting that Spanish law requires players to respond to call-ups.
Olmo and Victor’s Registration Issues
Olmo and Victor were initially deregistered by La Liga on December 31st after Barcelona missed a deadline to demonstrate compliance with the league’s squad spending limits. Although the club later provided the necessary proof, La Liga argued that the players could not be registered twice in the same season with the same club.
Barcelona appealed the decision, and the CSD subsequently granted a temporary injunction while the case is reviewed.
“It’s good news for us,” Pedri said. “The position they were in is very difficult, knowing they couldn’t play. I’m very happy for him and for Pau, for sure they’ll contribute a lot.”
La Liga’s Response and Criticism
La Liga has expressed its intention to study the CSD’s decision and potentially launch an appeal. Several clubs, including Atlético Madrid, have criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines the league’s financial controls.
Pedri, however, remained focused on the positive impact of Olmo and Victor’s availability for Barcelona. “Every club has its opinion about each case,” he said. “I’m happy to have them in the team, the two of them are important for us. What other people think is their opinion.”
With Olmo and Victor now eligible to play, Barcelona will be at full strength for Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.
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