Barcelona fined £503 over approach for Alvarez

Barcelona fined €602 by Spanish FA after Atlético Madrid complained about unauthorized contact with striker Julián Álvarez, who remains contracted to the Madrid club until 2030.

Barcelona have been fined 602 euros by the Spanish football association following a complaint from Atlético Madrid. The La Liga rivals accused Barcelona of approaching Argentina international Julián Álvarez without first notifying them in writing, as required by regulations.

The 26-year-old striker has remained at Atlético Madrid with a contract running until June 2030. Álvarez's situation at the club has been complicated this season, with him frequently booed by supporters, though he received a standing ovation after scoring the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday. Following that victory, which moved Atlético within two points of leaders Barcelona, Álvarez apologized to the fans, acknowledging that comments he made during the summer about wanting to "fulfil his dream" of playing for Barcelona were a mistake.

Atlético also lodged a complaint with FIFA, but football's governing body declared it had no jurisdiction over the case. Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5m.