Thu Jan 09 17:38:58 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona’s Deco Fires Back at LaLiga Critics Amid Olmo Registration Controversy
**Barcelona, Spain** – Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has launched a stinging rebuke of Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte following criticism of the club’s successful registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. Uriarte had described the situation, which saw the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD) overturn LaLiga’s decision to block the players’ registration, as “ugly” for Spanish football.
The controversy centers around Barcelona’s struggle to comply with LaLiga’s strict financial regulations. While Olmo and Victor were initially registered for the first half of the season, their registration lapsed on December 31st. A subsequent appeal to the CSD, based on the principle of fairness to the players, resulted in provisional clearance allowing them to play for the remainder of the season, pending further review.
Uriarte expressed concern that the situation undermines the efforts of clubs to comply with financial rules and grow the league’s competitiveness. He stated that clubs are asked to make significant efforts, yet “situations like this…are very bad for Spanish football.”
However, Deco firmly defended Barcelona’s actions, stating, “Barcelona is doing things well, and we are trying to do our best. Reason or not, these are questions of justice. If (the Higher Sports Council) agrees with us for the moment, there is a reason for that.” He implied that the criticism unfairly paints Barcelona as rule-breakers.
LaLiga has expressed its disagreement with the CSD’s decision and hinted at potential legal action. The dispute highlights deep divisions within Spanish football over financial regulations and the potential for an uneven playing field. The registration saga of Olmo, a €55 million acquisition from RB Leipzig and joint top scorer at Euro 2024, has become a flashpoint exposing wider governance issues within LaLiga and potentially reshaping the league’s future dynamics.
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