Barcelona Includes Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in Squad for Spanish Super Cup Despite Registration Issues
Barcelona has named Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in their squad for the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, despite ongoing complications with their registration. The Catalan club is pushing for a resolution to secure the duo’s participation, with the clock ticking ahead of their semi-final clash against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
The Registration Dilemma
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga have jointly denied Barcelona’s attempts to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. According to a statement issued by the governing bodies, the regulations prohibit re-registering players whose licenses were previously canceled within the same season for the same team.
Barcelona has made four separate attempts to register the players in January, but all have been unsuccessful. The latest rejection came despite the club increasing their wage cap to accommodate new signings.
Barcelona’s Last Resort
Faced with mounting challenges, Barcelona is now appealing to Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD) to overturn the decision. If this fails, the club plans to escalate the matter to an ordinary court as a final measure. The urgency stems from a looming deadline; if Olmo is not registered by January 3, he could potentially leave Barcelona as a free agent and claim his full contract value until 2030.
Why the Registration Was Denied
The issues stem from La Liga’s strict financial regulations. While Barcelona had previously registered Dani Olmo temporarily due to Andreas Christensen’s long-term injury, Christensen’s return has nullified the exceptional circumstances that allowed Olmo’s initial registration.
La Liga maintains that Barcelona has not provided sufficient financial guarantees to register new players during the January transfer window. The federation has also emphasized that the rules are clear and that Barcelona must adhere to them without exceptions.
Squad Announcement for the Super Cup
Despite the uncertainty, Barcelona has included both Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in their traveling squad to Saudi Arabia. The full squad also sees the return of several key players, including Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Héctor Fort, and Andreas Christensen, who have recovered from injuries.
Barcelona Squad for the Spanish Super Cup
- Goalkeepers: Pau Cubarsi, Inaki Pena, Wojciech Szczesny, Ander Astralaga
- Defenders: Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Héctor Fort
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Pablo Torre, Fermín López, Marc Casado
- Forwards: Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Victor
- Reserves: Gerard Martin, Antonio Fernandez, Sergi Dominguez
The Implications of Non-Registration
Impact on Dani Olmo
Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig at the start of the season, played in the first half of the campaign under a temporary registration. If the club fails to register him permanently, Olmo could leave as a free agent, a scenario that would be a significant financial and sporting blow for Barcelona.
Impact on Pau Victor
Pau Victor’s inclusion in the squad highlights Barcelona’s intent to integrate him into the first team. However, his inability to participate in official matches due to the registration issues could hamper his development and the team’s depth.
The Bigger Picture
Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles have made it difficult to comply with La Liga’s stringent salary cap rules. While the club has managed to sign players like Olmo, the lack of financial guarantees has created a precarious situation that risks undermining their sporting ambitions.
The club’s management, led by Joan Laporta, has faced criticism for failing to anticipate these challenges. The inability to secure registrations not only affects team performance but also raises questions about Barcelona’s long-term financial strategy.
Upcoming Challenges
Barcelona is set to face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals on Wednesday. The team is aiming to add another trophy to their collection, but the registration saga looms large over their preparations.
If Olmo and Victor are not cleared to play, it could impact Xavi Hernandez’s tactical plans and the team’s chances of advancing to the final.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s inclusion of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in their Spanish Super Cup squad underscores the club’s determination to resolve their registration issues. However, the road ahead is fraught with legal and financial hurdles. With critical deadlines approaching, the Catalan giants must act swiftly to ensure that their sporting aspirations are not derailed.
FAQs
- Why can’t Barcelona register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor?
La Liga rules prohibit re-registering players whose licenses were previously canceled in the same season for the same team. - What happens if Dani Olmo isn’t registered by January 3?
Olmo could leave Barcelona as a free agent and claim his full contract value until 2030. - Who will Barcelona face in the Spanish Super Cup?
Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals on Wednesday. - What steps is Barcelona taking to resolve the issue?
The club is appealing to Spain’s Higher Sports Council and may escalate the matter to court if necessary. - How many times has Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup?
Barcelona has won the Spanish Super Cup a record 14 times.
