La Liga Confirms Barcelona’s Financial Constraints Preventing Registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor

On Wednesday, La Liga announced that Barcelona lacks the financial capability to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, and this situation remains unchanged as they await a decision from Spain’s sports council (CSD) regarding the players’ eligibility to compete.

In January, Barcelona revealed they had struck a deal to sell VIP boxes at the Camp Nou, which is currently under renovation, for an estimated €100 million (£83.5 million), a move intended to provide them the necessary financial leeway for new player registrations.

According to La Liga, Barcelona employed an unnamed auditor between December 31 and January 3 that logged the deal in the club’s financial records. However, their current auditor has since removed it from the interim financial statements for the 2024/25 season’s first half.

“Ultimately, no amount from the (VIP box deal) is recorded in the profit and loss accounts, contrary to the certification provided by both the club and the auditor at the time of the transaction,” La Liga stated in an official release.

Furthermore, La Liga indicated they are reporting the auditor used by Barcelona during the specified dates to the Accounting and Auditing Institute.

“As of December 31, 2024, and January 3, 2025, Barcelona did not possess—and has not since that date—any financial fair play capability for the registration of players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor,” the statement continued.

When approached by AFP, Barcelona chose not to comment on the issue.

On January 8, the CSD granted Barcelona provisional permission to use Olmo and Victor after La Liga stated that the club failed to register them by the December deadline, after which their temporary licences obtained last summer lapsed.

The CSD ruled that Olmo and Victor could feature for Barcelona until a definitive ruling is made in the club’s ongoing case against La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which had denied the club’s attempts to renew their registrations. A decision is expected on or before April 7.

Initially, the players were registered on a temporary basis as Barcelona exploited a financial loophole following an injury to defender Andreas Christensen.

Olmo, who is currently sidelined due to injury, has made 13 appearances, netting two goals and providing four assists, while Victor has contributed with five substitute outings.