Barcelona face FIFA threat over Julian Alvarez, but key precedent offers reassurance | OneFootball

Although the footballing world is currently mainly focused on the World Cup 2026, transfer speculation also continues unabated. In fact, some public statements from the FC Barcelona target Julian Alvarez after the game between Argentina and Austria regarding his desire to leave the Colchonero club have caused quite a stir in European football.

It remains to be seen how the two involved clubs would go ahead with this operation after this episode. However, the Mattress Makers are naturally not too happy with their star forward’s statements, and their anger is directed against both the Blaugrana club and the player himself.

The Madrid club is actually thinking of taking serious action on the matter, and one of the remedies they are considering is reporting Barcelona to FIFA, under the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, for starting negotiations with a player who still has a valid contract with them.

However, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo, the international football governing body cannot intervene in this matter, as both the involved clubs belong to the same association, i.e., RFEF.

There is also a clear precedent that supports this claim, i.e., the transfer of Antoine Griezemann, that involved these very two clubs. In 2019, the Colchoneros filed a complaint with RFEF alleging that Barcelona had signed a contract with him, despite him still having a valid contract with them. However, FIFA was unable to intervene, and it was RFEF that resolved their complain, with the Blaugrana club getting a fine of only €300.

On the other hand, FIFA can still intervene if Julian Alvarez himself broke his contract with Atletico Madrid. In such a case, if the latter are able to prove that Barcelona actually were in contact with him, both the player and the Catalan club can face penalties. For the former, it could be a ban for up to four months from club matches, while for the latter, it could be a ban on transfer of new players for two years, among other penalties.