BARCELONA FINED €602 OVER ATLÉTICO MADRID’S JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ COMPLAINT
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
Barcelona have been fined €602 by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a complaint by Atlético Madrid over the Catalan club’s alleged failure to follow the proper procedure when expressing interest in striker Julián Álvarez.
According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a post on X on Wednesday, the sanction was confirmed on Tuesday under Article 133 of the RFEF’s disciplinary regulations, which covers failure to comply with orders, instructions, agreements or regulatory obligations.
The offence was classified as a minor infringement. Spanish football regulations require clubs interested in negotiating with a player who is under contract to first notify his current club in writing.
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Atlético accused Barcelona of approaching the Argentina international without adequately fulfilling this requirement.
Álvarez, 26, remains contracted to Atlético until June 2030, having joined the Madrid-based club from Manchester City in 2024.
Barcelona’s interest in the forward intensified during the summer transfer window, partly following his public comments about his long-standing ambition to play for the Blaugrana. However, negotiations did not result in a transfer, and the striker remained at Atlético.
Atlético also filed a separate complaint with FIFA, but the world football governing body declined to intervene, stating that it lacked jurisdiction over a dispute between two clubs from the same country. The matter was subsequently left to the RFEF.
The federation opened an extraordinary disciplinary investigation in late July and has now concluded the proceedings with the maximum fine permitted under the relevant provision for minor infringements.
The €602 penalty has been widely described as symbolic, with some reports characterising it as insignificant. It also recalls a similar dispute in 2019, when Atlético complained about Barcelona’s approach for Antoine Griezmann, resulting in a €300 fine.
Barcelona have indicated their intention to appeal the decision. Reports from Spanish media outlets, including Marca and El Chiringuito, suggest the club is challenging the ruling on principle rather than over the financial penalty.
The Catalan club maintains that it informed Atlético of its interest in Álvarez and acted appropriately throughout the process.
Meanwhile, Álvarez has been attempting to restore his relationship with Atlético supporters after facing boos from some fans this season.
The striker scored the decisive goal in Saturday’s victory over Deportivo La Coruña and subsequently apologised publicly for the timing and manner of his earlier remarks about wanting to leave the club.
The fine brings the RFEF’s disciplinary proceedings over the transfer dispute to a close, although Barcelona’s planned appeal means the matter remains unresolved.
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