Tag: La Liga

  • Barca never had financial room to register Olmo – La Liga

    Barca never had financial room to register Olmo – La Liga

    La Liga said Wednesday that Barcelona did not have the financial capacity to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and still lacks it, ahead of a decision by Spain’s sports council (CSD) over the duo’s eligibility to play.

    In Januar,y Barcelona announced a deal had been reached to sell VIP boxes at the club’s Camp Nou stadium, currently being rebuilt, worth a reported 100 million euros ($108 million), which gave them the financial fair play room for new licences for the players.

    La Liga said Barcelona used an unnamed auditor between December 31 and January 3, which recorded the deal on the club’s books, but their current auditor no longer includes it in the club’s interim financial statements for the first part of the 2024-25 season.

    “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,” said La Liga in a statement.

    La Liga said they were reporting the auditor Barcelona used between December 31 and January 3 to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.

    “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,” continued La Liga’s statement.

    Barcelona declined to comment when asked about the matter by AFP.

    On January 8 the CSD granted Barcelona precautionary permission to use Olmo and Victor, after La Liga said Barca failed to register them before a deadline at the end of December when their temporary licences they were given after signing last summer expired.

    The CSD decided Olmo and Victor could be selected by Barca until they make a definitive ruling in the club’s case against La Liga and the Spanish football federation (RFEF), who did not let the club renew their registrations. The ruling is set to come on or before April 7.

    The players were initially registered on a short-term basis, as Barcelona took advantage of a financial loophole following an injury to defender Andreas Christensen.

    Olmo, currently injured, has played 13 times since then, scoring two goals and providing four assists, while Victor has five substitute appearances.

  • Barcelona thrash 10-man Real Sociedad to reclaim La Liga top spot

    Barcelona thrash 10-man Real Sociedad to reclaim La Liga top spot

    Barcelona secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday to move back top of La Liga.

    Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the scoresheet.

    Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis.

    Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the Champions League last 16 visit to face Benfica on Wednesday.

    Real Sociedad, ninth, threatened in the opening stages but fell foul of Barcelona’s offside trap, with Sergio Gomez’s strike ruled out.

    At the other end Barcelona playmaker Pedri Gonzalez came close when he pressed La Real goalkeeper Alex Remiro and deflected his attempted clearance just over and onto the roof of the net.

    The game swung Barcelona’s way when Elustondo was sent off in the 17th minute for pulling down Dani Olmo as he ran in behind him through on goal.

    The hosts took the lead after 25 minutes when Olmo chipped the ball across for Martin to fire home the first goal of his career.

    Four minutes later Barca had their second, with Olmo involved again, this time his wayward shot deflected home by team-mate Casado.

    The enterprising Lamine Yamal teed up Pedri but Remiro saved his shot from the edge of the box as Barca dominated.

    Pedri came close again after the break with an effort from range which bounced back off the crossbar, shortly before Araujo nabbed the third.

    Remiro pushed out Lewandowski’s header from corner but Araujo was on hand to nod home the rebound.

    Lewandowski cleverly converted Barcelona’s fourth when Araujo’s low drive from distance prodded home by the veteran Polish forward.

    The 36-year-old leads the league with 21 goals in 25 appearances.

    Barcelona played out the final half hour without incident, occasionally threatening, with substitute Ferran Torres twice coming close to a fifth.