Barcelona have been fined 602 euros (£503) after Atletico Madrid complained about the Catalan club’s approach for striker Julian Alvarez.
Julian Alvarez (Credits: BBC Sport)
Barcelona Fined Over Julian Alvarez Approach
Atletico accused their La Liga rivals of contacting Argentina international Alvarez without first notifying them in writing, as the rules require. The fine was issued by the Spanish football association, while FIFA — which Atletico also complained to — declared it had no jurisdiction over the case.
The 26-year-old stayed at Atletico, where his contract runs until June 2030. Alvarez joined the club from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5 million, and he has since scored 51 goals in 115 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, after netting 36 times in 103 games for City.
Alvarez Apologises to Atletico Fans After Winner
The fine comes at a sensitive moment in Alvarez’s relationship with the Atletico supporters. He has frequently been booed by his own fans this season, but he received a standing ovation from some sections after scoring the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday — a victory that took Simeone’s side within two points of leaders Barcelona.
After the match, Alvarez addressed the summer interview in which he said he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona. “It was a mistake. I understand why the fans are angry,” he said. “If I were a fan, I’d be angry too. Especially given how they’ve supported me since I arrived.”
The apology, combined with the match-winning goal, may go some way to repairing the damage — but the fine is a reminder that Barcelona’s long-standing interest in the Argentine forward has already cost them, even before any transfer is agreed.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
