Barcelona Coach Hansi Flick ‘Not Happy’ with Dani Olmo’s Registration Issue

Key Points:

• Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor remain unregistered by La Liga due to Barcelona’s failure to meet the Dec. 31 deadline for financial compliance.
• Hansi Flick expresses frustration with the situation but maintains confidence in the club’s efforts to resolve it.
• Olmo’s contract includes a clause allowing him to leave if not registered, though he is not considering activation of it at this time.

Hansi Flick Expresses Frustration Over Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor’s Registration Situation

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation surrounding Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, who remain unregistered by La Liga after Barcelona missed the Dec. 31 deadline for compliance with the league’s financial fair play regulations.

Despite both players being signed on permanent deals last summer, neither is available for selection for Barcelona’s upcoming Copa del Rey clash against fourth-tier Barbastro.

Flick’s Frustration

In a press conference on Friday, Flick admitted he was “not happy about this situation,” acknowledging that both players were also unhappy with the registration impasse. However, he stressed the need for professionalism, saying, “It is what it is, and we have to accept it. We are professional, and the club has to do its job while I do mine.”

Despite his frustrations, Flick remains confident in the club’s efforts to resolve the situation. “I have the confidence in the club that they will do their job, and I do mine. I’m always positive about things, but we have to wait for the decision.”

Barcelona’s Ongoing Financial Struggles

This marks the latest chapter in a string of financial issues for Barcelona, with the club facing repeated challenges in registering new players. Since 2021, Barcelona has been forced to implement wage cuts, sell future television rights earnings, and secure bank guarantees from board members to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations.

Flick refrained from commenting on the long-term implications, noting that he is focused on the present. “I don’t think about the future, just for now,” he said, adding that the situation is difficult for the players involved. Despite the uncertainty, both Olmo and Víctor are reportedly staying positive and eager to play for the club.

Barcelona’s Efforts to Resolve the Issue

A source told ESPN that Barcelona continues to work on registering Olmo and Víctor by selling €100 million worth of VIP boxes, a move intended to help the club meet La Liga’s economic regulations. However, La Liga stated earlier this week that Barcelona had not provided sufficient guarantees to comply with the financial rules, missing the deadline for registration.

Barcelona has also applied for new licenses for both players with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). However, according to RFEF rules, players cannot be re-registered for the same team in the same season without prior approval from La Liga. This means that even if Barcelona successfully registers the players, they could be unable to participate for the remainder of the season unless a resolution is reached.

Dani Olmo’s Future at Barcelona

The situation has cast doubt on Olmo’s immediate future with Barcelona. His contract includes a clause allowing him to leave for free if he is not registered, but sources close to the player indicate that he is not considering triggering this clause.

Olmo’s agent, Andy Bara, confirmed that there are no negotiations with other clubs at this time. “Dani is a Barça player and wants to be a Barça player,” Bara said. “He made a big effort to be here and has always dreamed of playing for Barcelona. The club is his first and last option.”

While Olmo is determined to remain at Barcelona, there is the possibility that he could leave for six months and return in the summer, but at the moment, his focus is solely on staying with the club.

Looking Ahead

As Barcelona works to resolve this registration issue, both Olmo and Víctor will continue to train with the team, though their playing time remains uncertain until a decision is made. Despite the frustration surrounding the situation, Flick and the club are optimistic that a solution will be found to get the players registered in time for the second half of the season.