Olmo unable to play for Barcelona after Spanish FA & LaLiga reject request to register him

Updated
Olmo can't play for Barcelona until next season as it stands
Olmo can't play for Barcelona until next season as it standsURBANANDSPORT / NurPhoto via AFP

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have rejected Barcelona's request to register Dani Olmo (26) and Pau Victor (23), the RFEF said on Saturday.

Midfielder Olmo, who helped Spain to European Championship glory last year, has been an integral part of Barcelona's team this season, while forward Victor, has been largely restricted to substitute appearances.

They had signed Olmo in August for around 55 million euros ($56.7 million) and Victor in July, but only registered them for the first half of the season due to LaLiga wage cap considerations.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga said in a joint statement they had rejected a request to register them both for the second half, saying a cancelled licence could not be revived for a player by the same club in the same season.

"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 RFEF said.

Two courts had previously rejected the club's requests.

LaLiga had previously welcomed the legal rulings, saying additional spending is allowed so long-term injuries do not weaken a team but the rule should not be exploited to allow the registration of players whose salaries exceed the limit.

Spanish media said Barcelona plan to file a complaint to the Spanish government in a last-ditch attempt to allow the pair to play. There was no immediate comment from Barcelona.

There was no immediate comment from Barcelona.

Olmo and Victor were not named in the squad for Barca's Copa del Rey match against fourth-tier side Barbastro on Saturday.

"Everyone wants Dani Olmo and Pau Victor back," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told a press conference following his team's 4-0 win.

"We played focused, we played well. I haven't seen the team suffer because of this situation... We have to be professional and accept (it)."

Both players' profiles have been removed from the LaLiga website.

It is not the first time Barca have failed to register a key player. The Catalan let Lionel Messi leave in 2021 even though the Argentine forward wanted to extend his stay at the club where he started his career.

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