Barcelona hit with unusual transfer fine – a legal fight over 602 Euros

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has ruled on the dispute between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid over Julián Álvarez. The Catalan club has been fined 602 Euros for contacting the Argentine forward without his club's permission. While the size of the fine, handed down following a complaint from Atlético Madrid, has raised eyebrows, Barcelona are reported to have rejected the decision. The Spanish club maintains that it broke no rules and is preparing to appeal the sanction.

According to reports in Spanish outlets AS and Marca, citing the RFEF, Atlético Madrid alleged that Barcelona held talks with Julián Álvarez, who is under contract with them until 30 June 2030, without first notifying them in writing. Following an investigation, Barcelona were fined 602 Euros under Article 133 of the federation's disciplinary code. FIFA, which Atlético Madrid had also approached over the matter, ruled that it had no jurisdiction in the dispute.

Barcelona to appeal the fine

According to Marca, the Barcelona board has chosen to appeal the decision rather than pay the 602 Euro fine. Although the Catalan club considers the amount extremely low, it insists that it did not break any rules. As a result, Barcelona's appeal is said to be based on legal principle rather than financial considerations.

The two clubs were involved in a similar dispute in 2019 during Antoine Griezmann's transfer. Atlético Madrid lodged a complaint against Barcelona over alleged unauthorised talks with the French forward, and the RFEF fined the Catalan club 300 Euros. However, the federation ruled that it could not be proven that Griezmann had signed an agreement with Barcelona while still under contract with Atlético Madrid.