Barcelona have been fined 602 euros (£503) after a complaint from Atletico Madrid over the contact the club made with striker Julian Alvarez.
Atletico accused their La Liga rivals of approaching the Argentina international without first notifying them in writing. The Spanish football association issued the fine. Atletico also complained to Fifa, but football’s governing body declared it had no jurisdiction over the case.
Alvarez stays at Atletico
The 26-year-old remains at Atletico, where his contract runs until June 2030. He joined from Manchester City on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5m in August 2024. He has scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for City and has found the net 51 times in 115 games for Atletico.
Apology to the fans
Alvarez has frequently been booed by his own supporters this season. After he scored the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, some fans gave him a standing ovation. The victory moved Diego Simeone’s side within two points of leaders Barcelona.
Following the match, Alvarez apologised to Atletico’s supporters. He referred to a summer interview in which he said he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona.
“It was a mistake,” Alvarez said. “I understand why the fans are angry. If I were a fan, I’d be angry too. Especially given how they’ve supported me since I arrived.”