Barcelona's Financial Crisis Deepens: La Liga Blocks Olmo and Victor Registrations

Barcelona's Registration Crisis

La Liga has officially confirmed that FC Barcelona lacks the financial capacity to register forwards Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the 2024-25 season. This revelation comes despite the club's attempts to secure emergency funding through VIP box sales at the renovated Nou Camp stadium.

Timeline of Events

• Summer 2024: Barcelona received temporary licenses to register Olmo and Victor.
• January 2025: La Liga revoked these registrations after Barcelona failed to meet financial deadlines.
• February 2025: Spain's CSD (Sports Council) granted provisional reinstatement pending a final ruling by April 7.

Financial Violations and La Liga's Response

La Liga's audit revealed that Barcelona's claimed €100m (£83m) VIP box deal was not reflected in their submitted accounts. The league stated:

"No amount from the [VIP box deal] is recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to the club’s certification."

La Liga has escalated the matter by reporting Barcelona’s unnamed auditor to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.

Key Quotes

• La Liga:

  "Barcelona did not have ... the financial fair play capacity for Olmo and Victor’s registrations."

• Joan Laporta (Barcelona President):

  "This is an attempt to damage our image. We complied with all RFEF and La Liga requirements."

Player Impact and Club Performance

• Dani Olmo: The 26-year-old Spaniard, signed for £52m from RB Leipzig, has made 28 appearances (13 post-CSD ruling).
• Pau Victor: The 23-year-old La Masia graduate has played 22 matches (5 post-ruling).

Barcelona remains top of La Liga and is competing in the Champions League quarter-finals, but this scandal threatens to destabilize their season.

What’s Next?

The final ruling on April 7 could force Barcelona to:

1. Sell additional assets.
2. Adjust player contracts.
3. Face point deductions or transfer bans.

Related: La Liga’s Financial Controls | FC Barcelona’s Official Statement