Barcelona have been fined 602 euros (£503) after Atletico Madrid complained about the club’s contact 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 that it had no jurisdiction over the case.
Alvarez remains at Atletico
The 26-year-old stayed at Atletico, and his contract runs until June 2030. He joined the club from Manchester City on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5m in August 2024. He 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, although some fans gave him a standing ovation after he scored the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. That victory moved Diego Simeone’s side within two points of leaders Barcelona.
Alvarez then apologised to Atletico’s supporters. Referring to an interview he gave during the summer, in which he said he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona, he said: “It was a mistake. 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.”