Barcelona fined €602 over Julián Álvarez transfer approach

Barcelona have been fined €602 by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a complaint from Atlético Madrid over the Catalan club’s pursuit of striker Julián Álvarez. The sanction relates to allegations that Barcelona contacted the Argentine forward without first notifying his current club in writing.

Atlético filed its complaint after Barcelona were linked with a move for Álvarez during the summer transfer window. The striker remains under contract with Atlético until June 2030, and the Madrid club argued that the rules governing approaches to players under contract had not been respected. The Spanish federation imposed the fine under Article 133 of its disciplinary regulations, which covers certain breaches of regulatory obligations.

Atlético also submitted a complaint to FIFA, but the international governing body declined to intervene, saying it lacked jurisdiction over the matter. Although the €602 penalty is small in financial terms, the decision represents a formal ruling in Atlético’s favour over its complaint concerning Barcelona’s conduct during the transfer process.

The dispute also added to the tension surrounding Álvarez’s future. The forward had publicly expressed a desire to fulfil his ambition of playing for Barcelona, prompting a negative reaction from some Atlético supporters. He later apologised to the fans, and his recent goals have helped ease the strained relationship. Barcelona are reportedly planning to appeal the federation’s decision.