Barcelona fined over contact with Alvarez

Barcelona will pay 602 euros after the Spanish football federation found the club contacted Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez without first giving written notice to his team. Atletico had filed the complaint, and the fine closes the matter under Article 133 of the federation's regulations. Atletico also raised the case with FIFA, which said it had no jurisdiction over it.

Alvarez's contract with Atletico runs through June 2030. He moved to the club from Manchester City in 2024 in a deal worth up to 95 million euros. He scored 36 goals in 103 matches for City and has since scored 51 times in 115 games for Atletico.

The dispute began with comments he made during the 2026 World Cup, when he said he wanted to fulfill his dream of playing for Barcelona. Home supporters booed him at times this season. After he scored the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, parts of the crowd at the Metropolitano stood to applaud him.

Alvarez spoke after that match. "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," he said. Saturday's goal was his second in as many matches, and Atletico sit two points behind league leaders Barcelona.