Las Palmas Criticizes Barcelona's Olmo Registration

The decision by Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) to allow Barcelona to provisionally register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor for the second half of the season has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Las Palmas. The club has issued a formal statement expressing its strong opposition to the ruling, highlighting its implications for the integrity of Spanish football.

Las Palmas described the CSD's decision as "a serious risk to the fairness of the competition," arguing that it undermines the financial regulations that have been instrumental in maintaining a level playing field. The club stated, "This decision, made without the involvement of key football regulatory bodies such as LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), sets a troubling precedent that threatens the principles of transparency and equity."

The controversy stems from Barcelona's financial struggles, which initially prevented the club from registering Olmo and Víctor due to LaLiga’s salary cap restrictions. After appeals to both the RFEF and LaLiga were denied, Barcelona sought intervention from the CSD, which granted temporary approval for the players' registration. This move, however, has drawn sharp criticism from several clubs, including Atlético Madrid, which argued that governmental involvement could destabilize the league's financial controls.

Las Palmas emphasized that the decision disregarded prior rulings by judicial courts and other governing bodies, further questioning its validity. "The expedited nature of this ruling undermines the established framework of governance and sets a dangerous precedent," the club added. They called for a thorough review to uphold the integrity of Spanish football’s financial regulations.

Barcelona, on the other hand, has welcomed the decision, citing the importance of having Olmo and Víctor available for the remainder of the season. Head coach Hansi Flick expressed optimism, stating, "Their inclusion strengthens our squad significantly, especially as we approach critical fixtures, including the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid."

This ongoing dispute reflects broader tensions between clubs, regulatory bodies, and governing councils in Spain. As financial challenges continue to shape the football landscape, the balance between enforcing regulations and ensuring competitive viability remains a complex issue.

The situation has also intensified the narrative surrounding the Spanish Super Cup final, where Barcelona will face Real Madrid in an El Clásico showdown. With Olmo and Víctor cleared to play, all eyes will be on how these developments impact Barcelona’s performance and the league’s future regulatory decisions.