Barcelona have finally been given the green light to sign Dani Olmo for next season after a controversial order.
Spain international Olmo joined the Blaugrana from RB Leipzig for £50 million this summer, but the Catalan giants faced a battle to re-register the player for the rest of the season.
LaLiga is governed by strict financial laws, meaning Barcelona in particular have struggled to register players without compromise in recent seasons as they continue to battle the financial crisis.
As such, Barca were prevented from renewing the registration for Olmo and teammate Pau Victor as they had exceeded their allocated salary cap, with the added danger that Olmo could leave for free if they were not registered.
Now, however, Barcelona have been granted a precautionary measure by the Higher Sports Council (CSD), allowing them to temporarily register both Olmo, a target for several Premier League teams, and Pau Victor.
'Good news for FC Barcelona. Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are registered for La Liga and are therefore available for selection by coach Hansi Flick, including for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final at 8pm CET,” a Barcelona statement said.
“On Wednesday, the Higher Sports Council (CSD) issued an order giving the green light for the two players to play.”
Both players can play in LaLiga again after a number of weeks of uncertainty.
Olmo and Victor have been included in Barcelona's Super Cup squad despite being ineligible to play, but the pair were not in the starting line-up or among the substitutes for their semi-final with Athletic Club.
It may come as no surprise that it has proven to be a controversial call to allow Barca to register the two stars, with fierce rivals Atletico Madrid quick to hit back at the decision and questioning whether it undermines their 'fair competition' aim .
'Atletico de Madrid would like to express its deep concern about the situation in Spanish football following the resolution adopted by the Supreme Council of Sport last Wednesday. We believe that this decision endangers the current system, calling into question the rules of the game,” Los Colchoneros said.
'The Sports Law itself includes and protects economic control over LaLiga, but this resolution puts it at risk. The economic control of LaLiga has been the main instrument that has succeeded in turning our football into a solvent sector, a process that is internationally admired.
“Our club, like all LaLiga members until this resolution, has complied with the rules of economic control and will continue to do so. In order to compete at the level we have done in recent years, we have decided to implement several capital increases, despite the enormous efforts this entails.
“This government intervention sets a very dangerous precedent, as it opens the door to breaking the rules and making the same serious mistakes of the past. Atletico de Madrid remains committed to accuracy and responsible management. Without clear and equal rules for everyone, fair competition is not possible.'
Last week, Barcelona revealed their plans to file a complaint after both LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected their latest attempt to re-register the duo, and they subsequently took the matter to court.
The CSD said failure to take the precaution would cause 'serious economic and sporting damage to the club and especially to the players', and would harm 'the interests of the Spanish national team' and LaLiga.
The CSD's ruling also does not mean that Olmo and Victor are eligible for the rest of the season. Instead, the ruling is an acknowledgment that Barcelona's appeal, which was filed in the form of a 52-page document, has a solid legal basis.
The body now has a period of up to three months to study the case before issuing a final recommendation. In the meantime, Olmo and Victor can just play.
However, the story of Olmo's re-registration may have implications for the future.
On Tuesday, Barcelona striker Raphinha warned that the issues surrounding Olmo's future transfer targets could deter them from taking part.
“I can't say the opposite because otherwise I would be lying,” Raphinha added.
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