The ongoing dispute between Barcelona and La Liga concerning the registration of players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor has escalated into a significant controversy. This conflict has persisted for some time, with both parties holding firmly to their positions. Initially, it seemed that La Liga would successfully prevent the registration of these players, leading to a strained atmosphere in early January as the situation unfolded.

However, Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, and his team sought intervention from the CSD, successfully obtaining a precautionary measure that allowed the registration of both Olmo and Victor. They demonstrated compliance by providing all necessary documentation related to their VIP box seats deal at Camp Nou in a timely fashion, thus resolving the immediate registration issue.

Currently, both players have been registered to participate in matches, but La Liga remains adamant about reversing this decision. The league has uncovered alleged inconsistencies in Barcelona’s narrative, specifically in the recent letter of allegations submitted to the CSD, which could potentially impact the legitimacy of the registrations.

Allegations of Financial Manipulation by Barcelona

Barcelona’s ability to enroll Olmo and Victor hinged on the club’s strategic return to the 1:1 financial rule just before the previous year ended. This maneuver was facilitated by the last-minute sale of VIP seats in the upgraded Spotify Camp Nou, a significant financial move that came under scrutiny.

Barcelona has asserted that investments from Qatar and UAE totaling €28 million were critical for facilitating the registration of both players. However, La Liga has raised concerns, suggesting that these funds originated from an entity closely affiliated with the club. According to reports from El Confidencial as communicated by AS, it was revealed that Barcelona’s investors are part of the Emirates New Era Visionary Group, a company serving as the club’s official telecommunications partner since November 2024.

In response, Javier Tebas and his team are alleging potential financial misconduct, aiming to persuade the CSD that Barcelona engaged in manipulative practices by accepting funds from a pre-existing stakeholder. Barcelona’s defense emphasizes that the source of the funds is irrelevant, provided there is a valid agreement to repay the €100 million owed over time.

As the CSD is under pressure to reach a resolution before April 7th, the implications of this latest development remain uncertain. The outcome could significantly affect Barcelona’s financial standing and player registration processes moving forward.