New Delhi: Atletico Madrid expresses concern over temporary clearance for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor playing for Barcelona. The club criticised a “dangerous precedent” set by the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD), allowing Olmo and Victor to play despite their licenses expiring.
Olmo and Victor were unregistered by the Catalans as they failed to get their short-term license extended from La Liga before the end of 2024. The CSD granted Barca a precautionary on Wednesday while their case against La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation’s decision is analysed, which will allow both players to continue playing until a final ruling.
Los Rojiblancos issued a statement disapproving of the CSD’s statement. The club voiced concerns that this decision jeopardised the current system and questioned the integrity of the game’s rules.
Atletico Madrid remarked, “This government intervention sets a troubling precedent, allowing for potential rule-breaking and the repetition of serious past mistakes.”
Barcelona financial struggle
Financially struggling Barca were not able to register Olmo and Victor under La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations until they finalised a deal to sell VIP seats to Middle Eastern investors in late December, despite the paperwork still being incomplete after the deadline.
Without Olmo and Victor Blaugranas were able to defeat Athletic Club 2-0 to book a berth in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Others reactions
La Liga president Javier Tebas has also rallied against the decision, calling the situation a “tragicomedy” in a post on social media. Tebas expressed his frustration with the measures adopted by the CSD, stating they contradicted previous decisions made by the council and the courts.
Capítulo 2 de esta tragicomedia
‘decisión inusual”, “Si unes la urgencia a la no consulta a las partes, que va contra las normas y el marco político actual, si que parece que alguna intromisión polĺtica hay” Javier Ferrero socio de Senn Ferrero
“Proteges un perjuicio por no… pic.twitter.com/9ayv4vbwIK— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) January 10, 2025
Las Palmas has also released a statement earlier calling into question the decision and how the club disagrees with the decision. The statement read, “We believe that this decision poses a serious threat to the integrity of the competition and sets a worrying precedent that could destabilise the foundations of professional football in our country.”
Atletico Madrid criticizes CSD’s decision to allow Olmo and Victor to play for Barcelona despite expired licenses, citing a dangerous precedent for La Liga. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
