Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, does not hold back in defending how he handled the dilemma of registering Dani Olmo and aimed also, this time widely, at LaLiga and RFEF for having tried to destabilize the club.
Midfielder Olmo and striker Pau Victor were initially ineligible after LaLiga refused to inscribe their licenses because it claimed Barcelona did not meet a deadline to do so in 2024. In order to satisfy financial fair play rules, the club has sold off VIP box seats at the under-construction Spotify Camp Nou to Middle Eastern investors But on December 31st LaLiga requested more documentation, which put the process on hold.
Speaking at a fiery press conference Laporta insisted it was a deliberate case to try and destabilise Barcelona ahead of their Spanish Super Cup final with Real Madrid, which they subsequently won 5-2. He pointed to the club’s determination, saying, “They wanted to destroy us, and we never stopped fighting.”
Laporta also tied the issue to Barcelona’s decision not to take a $280 million deal with Nike, instead seeking a $1.7 billion deal. Laporta rejected calls from some opposition members for his resignation and was quick to predict the club’s willingness to turn around its fortunes.
Now that Olmo is available, Barcelona will look to fade the controversy and continue their campaign under Hansi Flick.
