The Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee has opened an extraordinary procedure against FC Barcelona over the club’s pursuit of Atlético de Madrid forward Julián Álvarez. The decision was communicated to both clubs on Thursday, 30 July, rather than 28 July as previously reported. The opening of the case begins a formal investigation and does not establish that Barcelona have broken any rules.
Atlético complaint triggers formal investigation
Atlético filed its complaint with the RFEF and FIFA on 30 June, accusing Barcelona of “negotiating with a player under a valid contract during the protected period”. Álvarez, 26, joined Atlético from Manchester City in 2024 and is contracted to the Madrid club until 2030. He was 24 when he signed, meaning the opening years of his deal fall within FIFA’s protected period for players aged between 23 and 28.
The protected period does not simply amount to a blanket ban on rival clubs showing an interest in a player. Its significance is that FIFA’s regulations provide for stronger sporting sanctions if a club is found to have induced a player to breach his contract during that time. Atlético maintain that Barcelona’s alleged contact with Álvarez and his representatives crossed the permitted line.
According to El País reporter Pablo Bini, the disciplinary committee has appointed an investigating judge who can examine documents and communications and hear evidence from the parties involved. Atlético have repeatedly insisted that Álvarez is not for sale and continue to rely on the substantial release clause in his contract. The club have also attempted to repair the striker’s relationship with supporters following his comments about wanting a transfer during the World Cup.
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Barcelona prepare their defence
Barcelona have confirmed that they received the federation’s notification. Club sources regard the opening of the procedure as the standard response to a formal complaint and remain confident that their legal team can prove no regulations were breached. The Catalan club are now preparing their submission while waiting to learn the deadline for presenting their arguments.
The investigation will focus on the nature and timing of any contact between Barcelona and the player’s camp. It must also establish whether those conversations amounted to prohibited negotiations or an attempt to persuade Álvarez to break his contract. Until that process is completed, Atlético’s allegations remain unproven.
Serious sanctions remain possible
No punishment has been imposed on either Barcelona or Álvarez. However, FIFA’s transfer rules, as described by EFE, allow a club to be banned from registering players for two consecutive transfer windows if it is found to have induced a footballer to break a contract during the protected period. Any sanction in this case would depend on the investigator’s findings and the arguments submitted by Barcelona.
The procedure therefore adds a significant legal obstacle to an already difficult transfer. Atlético remain determined to keep Álvarez, while Barcelona must now defend their conduct before any possible move can be considered on purely sporting and financial terms.
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