Following an intriguing 1-1 draw in the capital, Italian heavyweights Roma and Juventus have both suffered setbacks in the race for Champions League qualification. With Igor Tudor seeking for his first consecutive win as manager and Claudio Ranieri looking to continue his recent hot streak, neither side was able to hit a fatal blow at full time. Given the stakes, it was unsurprising that the two titans took their time getting going in the Italian city tonight. Neither Roma nor Juventus were willing to give up any huge moments in the early going, but the game came alive at Stadio Olimpico within 30 minutes as both teams began to turn the screw with opposing dynamics. First, despite Juve having close to 80% of the ball and managing a sprinkling of chances, Roma appeared more likely to score, with Pierre Kalulu doing an incredible job to race back and block Bryan Cristante's shot that looked certain to cross the line. Juve denied Angeliño's volley attempt, raising concerns....
The two sides have been embroiled in a convoluted legal fight for the past six months, with Barcelona scrambling to prolong Dani Olmo and Pau Victor's registrations. While there was some controversy about whether the players' licenses could even be extended - Barcelona went over La Liga's head to gain an emergency arrangement with the government's High Sports Committee (CSD) - the Blaugrana also had to demonstrate that they had the funds to finish fresh registration.
Barcelona's salary ceiling was boosted at the turn of the year after the club produced proof proving that their €100 million sale of VIP seats was completed on January 3, 2025. They were subsequently given the necessary financial freedom to register Olmo and Victor for the second half of the season.
Barcelona recently submitted their financial statements for the year, which made no mention of the €100 million, with La Liga now alleging that the purchase was not completed on time.
In a statement, La Liga verified receipt of legal documentation from an auditor confirming the sale's legitimacy on January 3. After Barcelona raised its salary cap, La Liga officials became concerned about the transaction and requested an investigation from the same government body that approved Olmo and Victor's emergency registrations.
When Barcelona's financial statements were presented, a new auditor made no notice of the €100 million sale, which La Liga has now concluded puts them in breach of Fair Play criteria once more because they did not have the cash to increase their pay expenses in January. An investigation of the initial auditor has been sought.
A verdict on the authenticity of Olmo's emergency registration is expected by April 6, and this new material appears to raise substantial question on the playmaker's new licence.
The CSD is entrusted with determining whether Barcelona presented proof early enough to prolong Olmo and Victor's registrations before they expired on December 31, but La Liga is now seeking to show the league leaders did not have the necessary means to do so.
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