The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has recently made headlines with a consequential ruling that officially rejects FC Barcelona’s attempts to register talented players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. This decision has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, highlighting the intense competition and regulatory hurdles that clubs must navigate in their pursuit of assembling a competitive lineup.
For several weeks, Barcelona had been diligently working to secure the registration of Olmo and Victor, believing they had met all necessary requirements. However, the rejection by both the RFEF and La Liga represents a significant setback for the club, which now finds itself facing the prospect of complicated legal proceedings. Reports from reputable football insider Fabrizio Romano indicate that Barcelona is preparing to take legal action to appeal this decision, aiming to defend their interests and potentially salvage the situation for both players.
The implications of this ruling are considerable, particularly for Dani Olmo, whose agent has publicly acknowledged the “stressful situation” affecting his client. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his registration, Olmo has reportedly expressed his desire to remain at Barcelona, even amidst the challenges ahead. Having showcased his skills with an impressive record of five goals in just 11 appearances this season, the 25-year-old winger’s potential absence from the pitch could considerably hinder Barcelona’s performance for the remainder of the campaign.
Rumors swirling around Olmo have also linked him with high-profile clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool, raising questions about his future should the current registration issues persist. As Barcelona grapples with these complications, it remains uncertain whether the refusal by La Liga and RFEF will alter Olmo’s commitment to the club.
In a detailed statement, the RFEF outlined the processes involved leading to their decision. The RFEF-LaLiga Coordination Agreement Monitoring Committee convened to discuss the request for federation licenses for Olmo and Victor, submitted by FC Barcelona. Following the completion of the necessary documentation and the fulfillment of La Liga’s economic control measures on January 3, 2025, a resolution was reached to extend the FC Barcelona Sports Squad Cost Limit. However, despite this extension, the Monitoring Committee concluded that the licenses for Olmo and Victor could not be granted, referencing specific articles in the General Regulations of the RFEF which prohibit a player whose license is canceled from obtaining a new license with the same club within the same season.
In a statement, the RFEF said: “The RFEF-LaLiga Coordination Agreement Monitoring Committee has met to address the request for a prior visa and processing of the federation licenses of the players Mr. Daniel Olmo Carvajal and Mr. Pau Víctor Delgado, submitted by FC Barcelona.
“After the requirements regarding LaLiga’s economic control were met by FCB on January 3, 2025, and once the relevant documentation was completed by the club, the LaLiga Budget Validation Body has resolved to extend the FC Barcelona Sports Squad Cost Limit from the aforementioned date.
“In this regard, having requested the licenses for the aforementioned players by FC Barcelona and after analyzing the applicable federation regulations, the Monitoring Committee agrees not to grant the prior visa or the definitive license requested by FC Barcelona for the players Mr. Daniel Olmo Carvajal and Mr. Pau Víctor Delgado in accordance with the literal interpretation of articles 130.2 and 141.5 of the General Regulations of the RFEF that prevent a player whose license is cancelled from, during the course of the same season, obtaining a license in the same club team to which he was already linked.”
As a result, Barcelona now faces the daunting prospect of a lengthy legal battle, and the financial implications of their investment in Olmo—reportedly around £50 million ($62 million) for his summer signing—add further pressure to the situation. The club’s strategic approach in navigating through these regulatory challenges will be critical, as they seek to find a resolution that allows Olmo and Victor to contribute on the field once more.
In summation, the current battle surrounding the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor is a vivid reminder of the intricate relationships between football clubs, governing bodies, and the regulatory frameworks that govern player registrations. The outcome of this situation remains uncertain, but the ripple effects will undoubtedly be felt across the footballing landscape as all parties involved work towards a resolution.

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