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TOPSHOT-FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-BRESTAFP
Soham Mukherjee

'A very dangerous precedent' - Barcelona's rivals Atletico Madrid & Espanyol express 'deep concern' after Dani Olmo & Pau Victor cleared to return despite registration debacle

D. Olmo
Barcelona
P. Victor
Real Madrid
Super Cup
LaLiga
Atletico Madrid
Espanyol

Espanyol have labelled the decision to allow Barcelona duo Dani Olmo and Pau Victor's registration a "very dangerous precedent" for Spanish football.

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Article continues below

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  • National Sports Council ruled in Barca's favour
  • Olmo & Victor are available for selection
  • La Liga clubs voice discontent over ruling
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Barcelona’s financial difficulties had prevented them from registering Olmo and Victor for the second half of the season due to La Liga’s wage cap rules. Their initial request to extend the players’ eligibility was denied, prompting the club to appeal. On Wednesday, the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) granted Barcelona an urgent precautionary measure, allowing Olmo and Victor to be available for selection until the case between the club, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reaches a conclusion.

  • Dani Olmo Barcelona 2024-25Getty

    WHAT ESPANYOL SAID

    The CSD justified the move by citing potential "serious economic and sports damage" to both Barcelona and the players if the precautionary measure was not granted. However, the ruling has sparked discontent among other LaLiga clubs, with Espanyol and Atletico Madrid publicly opposing the decision. Espanyol issued a statement highlighting their apprehension about the potential impact on competitive integrity.

    It read: "RCD Espanyol wishes to express its concern and worry about the situation that has arisen in Spanish football following the resolution adopted and made public by the Higher Sports Council, in the cases of FC Barcelona footballers Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.

    "The decision to grant an urgent, provisional precautionary measure until the appeal is finally resolved has created a very dangerous precedent and poses a threat to the integrity of the competition, as other clubs, as well as the RFEF and LaLiga, have denounced in various statements and communications.

    "RCD Espanyol, which remains fully committed to the competition, has strictly complied with the regulations on economic control and will continue to do so, despite the tensions, limitations and difficulties that these economic rules generate.

    "As has been stated in various forums, we understand that the rigorous economic control applied in recent years has ensured the sustainability of many clubs. The Sports Law itself includes and protects this economic control of LaLiga and, however, with this resolution, the norm approved and accepted by all professional clubs is put at risk.

    "The main players in football in this country: LALIGA and the RFEF have maintained a common and firm position from their respective authorities throughout the process. However, the CSD has exposed and discredited both institutions with its decision. RCD Espanyol urges a review of this resolution that generates uncertainty and threatens the principles of equality and justice in the competition."

  • WHAT ATLETICO MADRID SAID

    Whereas, Atletico Madrid wrote: "Club Atletico de Madrid wants to show its deep concern for the situation generated in Spanish football after the resolution adopted by the Consejo Superior de Deportes ["National Sports Council"] on Wednesday. We consider that this decision jeopardises the current system, questioning the rules of the game. The Ley del Deporte [‘Sports Law’] itself includes and protects La Liga's economic control and yet, with this resolution, it is put at risk.

    "LaLiga's economic control has been the main tool that has managed to turn our football into a solvent sector, a process admired internationally. Our club, like all LaLiga members until this resolution, has been complying with the rules of economic control and we will continue to respect them.

    "In fact, in order to be able to compete at the level we have been competing at in recent years, we have decided to carry out various capital increases, despite the enormous effort that this entails.

    "This government intervention creates a very dangerous precedent, as it opens the door to circumventing the rules and repeating the serious mistakes of the past. Atlético de Madrid remains committed to rigour and responsible management. Without clear and equal rules for all, no fair competition is possible."

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  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig for a reported €60 million (£50m), has been instrumental in the team’s attacking midfield, netting six goals in 15 appearances. Meanwhile, Victor, whose initial loan from Girona was made permanent, has featured in 17 games for the Catalan side.

  • Pau Victor Barcelona 2024 Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

    While Barcelona have secured a temporary victory, the case’s ultimate outcome could set a precedent for how financial challenges and regulatory constraints are managed in the future. Nonetheless, the registration debacle comes at a critical time, as the Catalan club prepare to face Real Madrid in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup Final.