SPANISH FA FINES BARCELONA OVER JULIAN ALVAREZ CONTACT

The Spanish FA has fined Barcelona €602 (£503) after Atletico Madrid complained about the club’s contact with Julian Alvarez. Atletico said Barcelona approached the Argentina striker without first notifying it in writing. The federation imposed the sanction under Article 133 of its regulations. Alvarez stayed at Atletico Madrid and remains under contract until June 2030.

Alvarez joined Atletico from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year deal worth up to £81.5 million. He scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for City and has scored 51 in 115 for Atletico. During a summer interview, Alvarez said he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona. He later called the comment a mistake and said, “I understand why the fans are angry.” Atletico supporters have frequently booed Alvarez this season.

Alvarez scored Atletico’s winner against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, finding the net for a second successive match. Some supporters gave him a standing ovation after the goal. The victory took Diego Simeone’s side within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona. Fifa said it had no jurisdiction over Atletico’s separate complaint about Barcelona’s contact with Alvarez.