Barcelona’s Dani Olmo and Pau Victor Left in Limbo as La Liga, RFEF Reject Registration Appeal
Barcelona’s attempts to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the season have been thwarted by Spain’s football governing bodies, La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Both players, signed in the summer, were initially registered only until December 31, 2024, due to wage-cap restrictions imposed on the Catalan club.
Despite Barcelona’s improved financial standing and multiple legal appeals, the duo remain ineligible to feature for the remainder of the season, leaving their careers in limbo.
Background of the Case
Dani Olmo, 26, joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in a £51 million transfer after playing a key role in Spain’s European Championship victory. A mainstay in manager Hansi Flick’s lineup, Olmo has become an integral part of the team.
Pau Victor, 23, formerly of Girona, has predominantly been used as a substitute in his debut La Liga campaign. Both players now face an uncertain future, with no clear resolution in sight.
A joint statement from La Liga and the RFEF confirmed the rejection of Barcelona’s appeal to re-register the two players:
“The monitoring committee agrees not to grant the prior approval or the definitive licence requested by FC Barcelona for the players Daniel Olmo Carvajal and Pau Victor Delgado.”
The governing bodies cited league rules, which prohibit the re-registration of a player within the same season after their initial registration has been canceled.
Barcelona’s Response and Legal Battle
Barcelona had previously filed appeals in two Spanish courts, both of which ruled against their request. Reports suggest the club is now considering filing a complaint with the Spanish government as a last-ditch effort to secure eligibility for Olmo and Victor.
While the RFEF and La Liga acknowledged Barcelona’s financial restructuring, they remained firm on the regulatory breach, leaving the players sidelined until at least the summer.
The ruling is a significant blow for Barcelona, who are currently third in La Liga, five points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Olmo’s absence, in particular, could affect their title ambitions and overall squad depth as the season progresses.
What’s Next?
Barcelona has yet to release an official statement on the latest developments, but the club’s next moves will be closely monitored.
Whether they can overturn the ruling remains to be seen, but the situation adds to the club’s ongoing struggles with financial and administrative challenges.
For now, both players face an uncertain future as they await further developments in their registration saga.