FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta addresses the Dani Olmo registration saga, highlighting financial hurdles, legal battles, and the club’s resilience in overcoming challenges.
FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta recently shared his perspective on the ongoing legal battle to register midfielder Dani Olmo and forward Pau Victor. Speaking during a press conference at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper on January 14, 2025, Laporta expressed strong sentiments about the challenges facing the club.
Barcelona’s struggle stems from failing to meet La Liga’s budgetary requirements to register both players by the end of 2024. As a result, Olmo and Victor remain ineligible to play for the rest of the season unless the issue is resolved.
Laporta’s Fiery Response
Addressing the press, Laporta defended his administration while accusing certain entities of attempting to undermine FC Barcelona.
“None of this is surprising,” Laporta said. “Throughout Barça’s history, whenever we rise, certain forces unite to spin false narratives. Their aim was to destroy us, but our board and staff’s resilience prevented that.”
This statement comes after both Olmo and Victor were sidelined for two matches due to La Liga and the Spanish football federation’s (RFEF) refusal to grant them licenses. The rejection was attributed to Barcelona missing the registration deadline.
Efforts to Resolve the Crisis
Barcelona took urgent steps to comply with La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations. They sold VIP box seats at the under-construction Spotify Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors to generate the required funds.
However, Laporta revealed that La Liga unexpectedly requested additional documentation regarding these sales on December 31. The delay caused the club to miss the deadline, as the payment from investors in Qatar and the UAE had not been received by year-end.
The club also sought assistance from Spain’s national sports council, which granted temporary measures allowing the players to feature in matches. This enabled Olmo to make a substitute appearance during Barcelona’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia—a significant achievement under coach Hansi Flick.
A “Clear Attack” on Barcelona
Laporta dismissed rumors of his resignation, labeling the registration saga as an orchestrated attempt to destabilize the club.
“This was a deliberate move to unsettle us before the Super Cup—a trophy we were determined to win,” Laporta declared. “This is not about supporting Laporta but supporting Barça. Despite the distractions, our players and staff showed incredible mental strength.”
Financial Decisions Behind the Scenes
Laporta also explained the club’s decision to delay registering the players due to ongoing negotiations with Nike for a new sponsorship deal.
“While we had the option to settle for a less favorable Nike deal in the summer, we chose to negotiate further, securing a better contract worth €1.7 billion until 2028,” Laporta shared. “This decision brought in an additional €300 million compared to the initial offer.”
Looking Ahead
While the registration issue is yet to be fully resolved, Laporta remains optimistic about the future of the club. He emphasized the importance of unity among fans and stakeholders as Barcelona continues to navigate financial and legal hurdles.
With the Spanish Super Cup already in their trophy cabinet, Barça’s focus now shifts to addressing the lingering registration issues and maintaining their momentum on the pitch.
READ ALSO:
Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp:
Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear:
Kindly Share:
Discover more from LMSINT MEDIA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.