Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor have been granted temporary playing registrations by Spain’s top sports court, the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), as the legal battle between Barcelona, LaLiga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) continues over their eligibility.
The decision allows the two players to feature for Barcelona until a final ruling is made in the case.
Neither Olmo nor Víctor were available for Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal on Wednesday, but they are now eligible to play in Sunday’s final against Real Madrid or Mallorca.
Temporary Relief Amid Legal Uncertainty
The CSD’s ruling comes as a huge boost for Barcelona and the two players, with manager Hansi Flick delighted at the decision following the Super Cup win.
“I am really happy for these two guys, but I am also happy for the whole team,” Flick said.
“After the information, you can see what happens in the bus, it was good. I think the whole club is very happy for this decision, for this right decision.
“[Olmo and Victor] are happy. Not only I’m happy, also they are happy.”
“It was a good signal for us before the match because everyone wants to show also that we are a team and we win also for them.”
Barcelona’s case stems from LaLiga’s decision to deregister Olmo and Víctor on December 31 after the club missed a deadline to prove compliance with the league’s financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Although Barcelona later met certain FFP requirements on January 3, LaLiga and the RFEF argued that players whose registrations are canceled cannot be re-registered with the same club in the same season.
In response, Barcelona filed a 52-page appeal to the CSD, contesting the interpretation of the rule.
The CSD has yet to make a final ruling on the matter, which could take up to three months, but has granted Olmo and Víctor temporary eligibility in the meantime.
Laliga’s Disagreement
LaLiga has showed strong opposition to the CSD’s interim ruling and is considering appealing the decision.
“The content of the resolution will be studied carefully in order to present the appropriate appeals, without prejudice to expressing its absolute disagreement with it,” LaLiga said in a statement.
The football governing body maintains that its interpretation of the rules is correct and that players cannot be re-registered with the same team after their initial registrations are canceled.
Background of the Case
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor both joined Barcelona last summer.
Their initial registrations were tied to a specific rule allowing clubs to allocate up to 80% of the salary of an injured player—in this case, Andreas Christensen—towards signing replacements.
Barcelona’s financial struggles have been well-documented, with the club operating under strict spending caps imposed by LaLiga.
Despite improving their financial situation and having their spending cap extended earlier this month, LaLiga’s rules on re-registration prompted the dispute.
While the CSD’s temporary decision allows Olmo and Víctor to play immediately, Barcelona will continue to await a definitive ruling on their case.
Sources close to the situation believe the final decision could come sooner than the maximum three-month window.
In the meantime, the duo will be available for selection in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final, giving Barcelona a much-needed boost as they aim to secure silverware.
Impact on Barcelona
The decision comes as a relief for Barcelona, who have been navigating a turbulent period of financial constraints and squad management.
Manager Hansi Flick will now have two additional options as the club looks to maintain momentum in the league and cup competitions.
However, the ongoing dispute underscores the broader challenges Barcelona faces in complying with LaLiga’s FFP regulations, as well as the complex interplay between club ambitions and financial restrictions.
For now, Olmo and Víctor have a chance to prove their worth on the pitch, starting with Sunday’s final—a match that could further consolidate Barcelona’s resurgence under Flick.
