New economic reality of Barça?: The problems it could face with its situation regarding 'fair play' in LaLiga

The FC Barcelona has recently received news that threatens to destabilize its financial and sporting planning. LaLiga has informed that the €100 million corresponding to the corporate operation of the VIP Boxes at Spotify Camp Nou, key for improving the club's financial 'fair play' and the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, will no longer be counted as income in the Profit and Loss account for the current season.

This decision implies a reduction in its Sports Payroll Cost Limit (LCPD) by the amount of that transaction. Consequently, as LaLiga reflected in its informative note: "Barcelona has no balance or registration capacity".

Where does this controversial situation arise from?

Initially, LaLiga had counted this corporate operation as income in the club's Profit and Loss account for the current season. However, this circumstance changed after FC Barcelona submitted the Interim Financial Statements for the first quarter of the season, audited by Crowe Auditores España, S.L.P., the third auditor that has worked with the blue and burgundy team this season.

The peculiarity of this Interim Financial Statement is that it does not include the amount of the aforementioned corporate operation in the Profit and Loss account. This contradicts what FC Barcelona had previously certified and what the auditor had validated when the operation was carried out on January 3, 2025.

Given this incongruity, the Sports Payroll Cost Limit (LCPD) has been reduced by the amount of that transaction, generating great uncertainty about the consequences this could have for the Catalan team.

The problems Barcelona faces due to this issue with 'fair play'

1️⃣ Goodbye to the 1/1 Rule (for now)

According to 'SPORT', the most immediate consequence is that the club is once again subject to the 1-4 Rule (for every four euros saved, it can spend one), abandoning the 1-1 Rule. This means that it will only be able to use 25% of the money saved in salary expenses of the first team for new signings, complicating its maneuvering margin in the transfer market.

This context is particularly relevant, as the culé team is pending the contractual extension of Lamine Yamal, an agreement that seems to be closed (only needing to be formalized when the '19' turns 18), but whose registration could become complicated due to this situation. Additionally, uncertainty is added to other key renewals such as Frenkie de Jong or Wojciech Szczęsny. Consequently, FC Barcelona will be forced to make financial maneuvers to register these new contracts.

2️⃣ Possible complications in the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor

Along with this, the doubt arises about the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor starting July 1. The former RB Leipzig player’s case could be more complex than that of the former Girona forward due to salary issues.

3️⃣ It would accelerate the 'exit operation'

Another point to consider for FC Barcelona is that it must try to resolve the case of Barça Vision, which leaves a significant hole in the accounts and could cause the fiscal year to end in losses. Likewise, since the operation of the VIP Boxes is not counted, it will have to find mechanisms to mitigate the absence of those €100 million in this fiscal year.

According to various sources, the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou will be key here. Furthermore, this situation could force the Catalan team to part with some first-team players if it wishes to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season.

The sporting planning of the culé team would change for the next season

Despite the complexities, Barcelona has managed to close several contract extensions to provide stability to key players in the 'spine' of the team. However, the outlook complicates for the future, as its margin for making signings is becoming increasingly reduced. The priority will be the registration of players and renewals, but with a salary section already exceeded, the club will have to manage exits and ensure that new signings accept salary adjustments to be registered.