Barcelona president Joan Laporta made a surprise announcement on Tuesday, revealing that the club is now able to re-register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. This update comes after the club’s initial request to extend the players’ eligibility was denied due to La Liga’s wage cap rules. Laporta’s announcement effectively kills the “apocalyptic narrative” surrounding the club’s financial difficulties.
Laporta also took the opportunity to accuse La Liga and the RFEF of trying to “destabilize” Barcelona. He expressed his frustration with the governing bodies, stating that he would never resign due to their decisions. Despite the challenges, Laporta emphasized the strength of the club, citing their recent Super Cup victory as evidence.
The registration issue had prevented Olmo and Victor from playing for Barcelona in the second half of the season. However, last week, the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) granted the club an urgent precautionary measure, allowing the duo to be available for selection until the case was resolved. Olmo and Victor both featured in Barcelona’s Super Cup final victory over Real Madrid, with Olmo coming on as a substitute and playing 35 minutes.
Laporta’s announcement is a significant boost for Barcelona, who can now focus on their upcoming matches without the uncertainty surrounding Olmo and Victor’s eligibility. The club’s next match is against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
The Barcelona president’s comments also highlight the ongoing tensions between the club and La Liga. Laporta’s accusation that La Liga and the RFEF are trying to destabilize the club is likely to escalate the situation. The governing bodies have yet to respond to Laporta’s comments.
Barcelona’s victory in the Super Cup and their ability to re-register Olmo and Victor are significant positives for the club. However, the ongoing issues with La Liga and the RFEF are likely to continue to be a challenge for Laporta and the club in the coming weeks and months.