Barcelona have been fined €602 by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a complaint from Atlético Madrid over the Catalan club’s pursuit of striker Julián Álvarez.
According to Fabrizio Romano, who reported the decision on X on Wednesday, the sanction was confirmed on Tuesday under Article 133 of the RFEF’s disciplinary regulations, which covers failures to comply with orders, instructions, agreements or regulatory obligations.
The offence is classified as a minor infringement. Under Spanish football regulations, clubs must notify a player’s current team in writing before opening negotiations with a player who remains under contract.
Atlético alleged that Barcelona failed to meet this requirement when expressing interest in Álvarez, who is contracted to the Madrid club until June 2030 after joining from Manchester City in 2024.
Barcelona’s interest intensified during the summer transfer window, with speculation fuelled by the Argentina international’s public comments about his long-standing dream of playing for the Blaugrana. However, no agreement was reached, and the 26-year-old remained at Atlético.
The Madrid club also filed a complaint with FIFA, but the governing body ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over a dispute between two Spanish clubs, leaving the matter in the hands of the RFEF.
The federation opened an extraordinary disciplinary investigation in late July before issuing the €602 fine, the maximum penalty available under the applicable provision for a minor infringement.
The sanction has been widely described as symbolic, with some reports labelling the amount irrisoria — or derisory. It also echoes a similar dispute in 2019, when Atlético complained about Barcelona’s pursuit of Antoine Griezmann and the Catalan club was fined just €300.
Barcelona are understood to be preparing an appeal. Reports from outlets including Marca and El Chiringuito suggest the club intends to challenge the ruling on principle rather than over the relatively small financial penalty.
The Catalan side maintains that it informed Atlético of its interest in Álvarez and insists it acted correctly throughout the process.
Meanwhile, Álvarez has been attempting to repair his relationship with Atlético supporters after facing boos from sections of the crowd this season. The forward scored the decisive goal in Saturday’s victory over Deportivo La Coruña and subsequently apologised publicly for the timing and manner of his earlier remarks about wanting to leave.
The RFEF’s ruling brings the initial disciplinary proceedings to a close, but Barcelona’s planned appeal means the dispute is not yet over. The case adds another chapter to a summer saga that strained relations between two of Spanish football’s biggest rivals.
