FC Barcelona Confronts New La Liga Impediments Regarding €100M VIP Agreement and Olmo Registration
Barcelona have once again clashed with La Liga — and this time, it’s all about money, paperwork, and timing. The club’s financial strategy is under scrutiny, with a €100 million VIP seat sale now at the centre of controversy.
Salary Cap Slashed After Suspicious Deal
La Liga have officially reduced Barcelona’s salary cap, citing doubts over the timing of a key financial deal. The Catalans had announced the sale of 475 VIP seats at the renovated Camp Nou for €100 million. But league officials now claim the transaction wasn’t completed in time to justify a January budget boost.
While Barça insist the documents were submitted on 3 January 2025, recent financial reports failed to mention the deal. La Liga submitted a formal request for scrutiny to the CSD, Spain’s preeminent sports council, citing the problematic nature of this inconsistency.
Viability Concerns Arise Regarding the Registration of Olmo and Víctor
Back in January, Barcelona obtained emergency approval to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor despite financial constraints. That approval may now be reversed.
If the VIP seat sale is deemed invalid, the registrations of both players could be ruled illegitimate. The deadline for the CSD to issue its ruling has been set for April 6th.
Barcelona Fight Back in Court
The club aren’t backing down. Barcelona argue they followed the rules and submitted all documents on time. They’ve also secured a court injunction allowing both players to continue playing while the matter is being reviewed.
The potential invalidation of Olmo and Víctor’s registration is viewed by Barça’s legal team as a contravention of the athletes’ right to pursue their profession. Without valid licences, the players would be unable to join another club this season unless they terminate their contracts with just cause.
International Implications for Spain and Olmo
Should the registration be voided, Olmo’s career could take a major hit. Such an outcome would result in his exclusion from both the concluding phase of the club season and Spain’s summer Nations League competition. This particular apprehension significantly influenced the court’s determination to maintain the provisional registration. The potential damage to both player and national team tipped the balance in Barcelona’s favour — at least for now.
Auditor intervention has necessitated a pause in the development of plans for the forthcoming season
Crowe, the successor auditor, compounded the lack of clarity by neglecting to mention the €100 million agreement in the club’s most recent financial documentation. This omission led La Liga to question whether the deal was ever finalised.
The league now claim Barcelona didn’t have the necessary funds to increase their salary limit in January, accusing the club of breaching Financial Fair Play rules. As a result, plans for next season are already on hold.
Further Investigations and a Pending Appeal
La Liga have formally requested a probe into the actions of Barcelona’s previous auditors. If any irregularities are confirmed, serious consequences could follow. Should the CSD issue an adverse finding, FC Barcelona, having already submitted an appeal, confirms its intention to seek recourse through the court system.
What Happens Next?
Barcelona are walking a tightrope. The outcome of the next few days carries implications that extend beyond the current team configuration to encompass the club’s comprehensive summer strategy.
he implications of this dispute are not confined to the registration status of two individuals; rather, they encompass crucial aspects of financial integrity, sporting rights, and strategic long-term planning. The outcome will have major implications for the club, the players, and even the Spanish national team.
