Barcelona fined €602 after Atlético complaint over Julián Álvarez contact
Spain's football federation fined Barcelona €602 after Atlético Madrid complained the club approached Julián Álvarez without written notice; FIFA declined jurisdiction.
Barcelona have been fined 602 euros (about £503) by the Spanish football association after Atlético Madrid complained that their La Liga rivals approached Argentina striker Julián Álvarez without first notifying them in writing. The penalty follows Atlético's accusation of improper contact with a player under contract at the club.
Álvarez, 26, stayed at Atlético and is under contract until June 2030. Atlético also took the complaint to FIFA, but football's governing body determined it had no jurisdiction over the matter, leaving the Spanish federation's fine as the only sanction reported.
The dispute follows a summer interview in which Álvarez said he wanted to fulfil his dream of playing for Barcelona. He later called the remark a mistake and said he understood why Atlético supporters were angry, adding that he would feel the same given the backing he has received since arriving.
Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5m. He scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for City and has 51 in 115 games for Atlético.
Supporters' reaction has been mixed this season: he has frequently been booed by his own fans, but some gave him a standing ovation after he scored the winner against Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday, a result that left Diego Simeone's side two points behind leaders Barcelona.
The modest size of the fine contrasts with the prominence of the clubs involved, and the case highlights how La Liga sides can pursue formal complaints over contact with contracted players even when a move does not materialise.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
