LaLiga is taking their sour conflict with Barcelona to court, amid the fallout from the Catalans' shortfall in registering Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
Barcelona were finally given the green light to sign Olmo for the upcoming season following a previously controversial injunction issued when they attempted to re-register the former RB Leipzig signing.
Spain international Olmo joined the Blaugrana for £50 million this summer and Barcelona had to get creative in their attempts to make him an official player in Hansi Flick's squad.
What was hoped would be an easy re-registration process for Olmo, LaLiga's strict financial laws hammered Barcelona's financial crisis and the club was prevented from renewing the registration for Olmo and teammate Victor as they had exceeded their allocated salary cap. the added danger that Olmo can leave for free if he is not registered.
An ugly affair ended when the Higher Sports Council (CSD) allowed them to temporarily register both Olmo, a target for several Premier League teams, and Pau Victor.
However, rival clubs have strongly criticized the decision and the league has now launched a legal battle against the CSD's ruling.
LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation were not given a chance to respond to the CSD's green light for the Catalan duo's resignation and now claim they made a mistake as there was no opportunity to defend their position before the provisional measure was approved.
The exceptional circumstances of the case have led the CSD to defend their unique decision, stating that preventing the registrations of both Olmo and Victor would cause significant damage to the players, Barcelona and even the interests of the Spanish national team.
LaLiga is trying to counter their position due to the RFEF General Regulations rule that prohibits the re-registration of a player who has been removed from a team's squad during the same season.
A possible penalty could result in the CSD's ruling being deemed null and void if LaLiga is successful.
Previously, Barcelona announced their success in registering the key duo: '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) announced a ban, giving the two players the green light 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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