Barcelona fined €602 over Julián Álvarez approach after Atlético complaint

Barcelona have received a €602 fine from the Spanish football federation following Atlético Madrid’s complaint about the club’s approach to Julián Álvarez, BBC Sport reported. Atlético accused their La Liga rivals of contacting the Argentina forward without first giving his club written notification of their intentions.

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The case concerned a player who remained under contract, rather than a completed transfer. Álvarez, 26, stayed at Atlético and is tied to the club until June 2030. Atlético also took its complaint to FIFA, but the world governing body said the matter was outside its jurisdiction, according to the BBC.

Mundo Deportivo reported that the federation’s disciplinary proceedings had opened in late July. Atlético’s complaint relied on competition regulations requiring a club interested in signing a contracted professional to notify the player’s existing club in writing before starting negotiations with him. The requirement was central to the dispute between the two clubs.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the sanction was imposed under Article 133, which covers failures to comply with federation orders, instructions, agreements or regulatory obligations that are not classed as serious or very serious offences. The €602 penalty matches the maximum monetary fine specified in the provision quoted by the newspaper for a minor offence.

The newspaper also identified a previous dispute involving the same clubs. In 2019, Atlético complained to the federation over Barcelona’s dealings with Antoine Griezmann, with that case ending in a €300 fine. The Álvarez ruling therefore follows another financial sanction arising from a complaint by Atlético about Barcelona’s contact with one of their forwards.

On the pitch, Álvarez scored Atlético’s winner against Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday, a result that moved Diego Simeone’s team within two points of leaders Barcelona. BBC Sport reported that some supporters gave him a standing ovation after he had frequently faced boos this season. He subsequently apologised for his summer comments about wanting to play for Barcelona.

Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year contract. The BBC put his Atlético record at 51 goals in 115 appearances, following 36 goals in 103 matches for City.