ไทย
English
中國人
Barcelona are reportedly refusing to pay a remarkably small €602 ($670) fine for allegedly making an unauthorized transfer approach for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Alvarez, citing it as a matter of "principle."
Alvarez found himself at the heart of this summer's most chaotic transfer story. Reports of Barcelona initiating discussions to sign Alvarez as early as May were publicly denounced by Atlético, whose official social media channels fired back with satirical posts about bids for Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha.
There was a strangely amicable and soon-forgotten bid from Real Madrid before Alvarez publicly declared his "dream" of departing the Spanish capital during the World Cup. Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed that a formal offer had been submitted while accusing his rivals of being "inflexible."
That firm stance held throughout the entire summer. Alvarez remains an Atlético Madrid player, yet the dispute with Barcelona continues to unfold.
Why Barcelona Have Been Fined for Julian Alvarez Approach
Barcelona have been accused—and found guilty—of contacting Alvarez without notifying his current club of their intentions, according to the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF).
This "failure to comply with orders, instructions, agreements, or regulatory obligations" carries a maximum penalty of €602, which has been issued to the club.
"I don't see the logic behind this," Laporta scoffed when news of the complaint first emerged. "All of Atlético's representatives are very experienced, and I don't know what their strategy is. They have our offer. If they want to accept, we'd be delighted.
"Atlético is being completely inflexible, and I hope they'll change their minds and accept. If they don't, they should say so, and we'll see. But taking it to UEFA, FIFA ... I don't know what the point is. Maybe there are people looking to stir things up. It doesn't make sense."
Can Barcelona Win Their Appeal?
Barcelona would have no trouble covering the fine. The club boasted record revenues of €1.06 billion ($1.18 billion) this year. At that rate, it would take a mere 18 seconds to settle a penalty that those within the club have reportedly labeled "laughable," according to MARCA.
The same report indicates that the club has rejected the fine on "moral and conceptual grounds" and remains confident in their appeal, insisting their "conduct was appropriate." Atlético were supposedly "explicitly informed of [Barcelona's] interest in the forward."
Barça would have presented their case when Atlético first filed their complaint, and there is no indication that fresh evidence is set to emerge. The RFEF clearly considered the club's violation to be "minor," given that only a fine was issued; the governing body could also have banned the club from competing or ordered a stadium closure. Whether they will overturn the punishment entirely, however, remains an open question.
What Now for Julian Alvarez?
Alvarez has already attempted to turn the page. The embattled forward was a pale imitation of himself at the start of the season, visibly struggling under the pressure of jeers from a home crowd displeased by his very public desire to leave.
Buoyed by the unwavering support of manager Diego Simeone, Alvarez has gradually rediscovered some of his previous form. After netting his second goal of the week on Saturday against Deportivo A Coruña, the Argentine international publicly apologized for his earlier comments for the first time.
This reversal came shortly after Alvarez changed representation, having now signed with Pablo Barquero. While Atlético fans may view this as an encouraging sign, it has not gone unnoticed that one of the few other clients on Barquero's books is none other than Rodri, who completed his move to Barcelona just last summer.