FC Barcelone faces a symbolic €602 fine against Atlético
FC Barcelona has been fined €602 by the Spanish Football Federation after a complaint from Atlético Madrid, which accuses it of approaching Argentine striker Julián Álvarez while he was still under contract. This sanction comes amid a dispute that has been ongoing for several months.
€602 fine imposed
The €602 fine is the exact amount indicated by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee. Atlético Madrid had reported Barça for allegedly contacting Álvarez without prior written notification. The Federation classified the breach as minor, limiting the sanction to the maximum amount provided.
Regulation and procedure
According to the general regulations, any club wishing to recruit a contracted footballer must inform the owning club in writing before starting negotiations. Article 133 of the Disciplinary Code states that non‑compliance with this obligation results in a fine of up to €602. The complaint was filed at the end of July, and FIFA could not intervene, lacking jurisdiction in this type of dispute.
A 2019 precedent
This is not the first time the two clubs have clashed on this issue. In 2019, FC Barcelona was ordered to pay €300 after a complaint from Atlético Madrid concerning Antoine Griezmann, who was still under contract at the time. The new verdict shows that the sanction remains symbolic, slightly higher than that of the previous case.
The €602 amount has no notable impact on the Catalan club’s finances, whose budget far exceeds tens of millions of euros. The sanction is mainly intended as a reminder of the rule and a symbolic victory for Atlético, which has obtained official recognition of the breach. The term Mundo, which means world, appears in the media, as does Deportivo, a synonym for sport.
This decision does not change Julián Álvarez’s contractual situation, who remains contracted with Atlético Madrid. The dispute continues to fuel tensions between the management of the two clubs, even though no further sanction is currently foreseen.
FC Barcelona has not issued an official response to the sanction, limiting itself to paying the sum within the stipulated deadline.