€600 – Barcelona sanctioned for Julián Alvarez pursuit

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La Liga champions Barcelona have on Tuesday been sanctioned by the Spanish Football Association for their summer approach for Atlético Madrid star Julián Alvarez.

The extent of the fine, though, has since given rise to widespread criticism across the Spanish football landscape.

Barcelona of course spent the bulk of this past summer’s transfer window working to bring frontman Alvarez to Catalunya’s capital. After bidding farewell to Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the Blaugrana identified the Argentine as the ideal addition to Hansi Flick’s attacking ranks.

Barca president Joan Laporta was not at all shy in making public the intentions of the Catalans to bring Alvarez in, a tactic deemed highly disrespectful by those in a position of power at the Metropolitano.

Atlético, as a result, refused to open the door to a deal with their La Liga rivals under any circumstances. In addition, the Rojiblancos reported Barcelona to the Spanish football authorities for what they deemed to be an illegal approach.

This week, the Catalans were found guilty of precisely that, hit with a fine as a result.

But the sanction will make zero impact of note to one of world football’s biggest clubs, coming in at a paltry €600.

Conor Laird – GSFN