Barcelona fined £503 over approach for Alvarez

Barcelona have been fined 602 euros (£503) by the Spanish football association after Atletico Madrid complained that the Catalan club contacted striker Julian Alvarez without first notifying Atletico in writing. The case matters because it concerns rules governing approaches to players under contract, though Alvarez stayed at Atletico and is tied to the club until June 2030.

Fifa declined to consider Atletico’s separate complaint, saying it had no jurisdiction. Alvarez, 26, apologised to Atletico supporters after scoring the winner against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, saying a summer remark about wanting to fulfil his dream of playing for Barcelona had been a mistake. He joined Atletico from Manchester City in August 2024 for a fee reported to be up to £81.5m and has scored 51 goals in 115 appearances for the club.