Barcelona’s hopes of keeping Spain international Dani Olmo in their squad beyond January were dealt a significant blow on Friday, as a Commercial Court in Barcelona rejected the club’s appeal for his provisional registration. The decision means Olmo, a key figure for Barca this season, could be sidelined starting January 1 due to the club’s ongoing struggles with La Liga’s wage cap regulations.
Barcelona signed Olmo in August for €55 million (£45.7m), but financial constraints allowed his registration only for the first half of the season. The club utilized an allowance for long-term injuries to temporarily register the 26-year-old, but that arrangement expires at the end of December.
Court’s Rationale and La Liga’s Stance
La Liga welcomed the court’s ruling, emphasizing its commitment to financial fair play. “The purpose of allowing additional spending is so that a long-term injury does not weaken the team’s competitiveness, not to register players whose salaries exceed the limit, which is what FC Barcelona is attempting,” La Liga stated.
The decision was backed by multiple oversight bodies, including:
- Budget Validation Body
- Financial Fair Play Committee
- Social Appeals Committee
- UEFA Second Instance Licensing Committee
Olmo’s Impact and Barcelona’s Next Move
Olmo, a pivotal player in Spain’s European Championship triumph, has been instrumental for Barcelona, who are currently third in La Liga, just three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid. His potential absence could be a significant setback for the Catalan giants as they push for domestic glory.
Spanish media reports suggest Barcelona have lodged another appeal, which will be heard on Monday—just one day before the deadline. The club’s chances, however, remain uncertain given the stringent financial regulations enforced by La Liga and UEFA.
As the clock ticks, Barcelona faces mounting pressure to resolve their financial issues or risk losing one of their top performers mid-season.
