Barcelona have been slapped with a 602-euro (£503) fine by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after Atlético Madrid lodged a formal complaint regarding unauthorized contact with striker Julián Álvarez. The complaint alleged that the Catalan giants attempted to approach the Argentina international without first notifying his current club in writing, a procedural violation under La Liga transfer regulations. Although Atlético also escalated the matter to FIFA, the global governing body ruled it lacked jurisdiction, leaving the domestic fine as the sole disciplinary action against the club.
RFEF penalizes Blaugrana for bypassing Atletico Madrid’s written notification protocol.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension surrounding the 26-year-old, who remains under contract with Atlético Madrid until June 2030. Despite persistent speculation linking him to a move to the Camp Nou, Álvarez has stayed put, though his season has been marred by inconsistent support from the Wanda Metropolitano crowd. The fine serves as a minor administrative penalty for Barcelona, but it underscores the strict protocols clubs must adhere to when scouting players who are not yet in the final six months of their contracts.
On the pitch, Álvarez’s status remains complex, as he has frequently faced boos from his own supporters this campaign. However, the striker recently redeemed himself by scoring the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, earning a rare standing ovation from a section of the fanbase. This performance marks his first La Liga goal of the season, signaling a potential resurgence for the Argentine as he continues to fight for his place in Diego Simeone’s squad.
Source: BBC Sport
