The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Simeone, has been direct about the controversy over the registration of Dani Olmo in Barcelona: we must all play by the same rules. La Liga canceled the registration of Barcelona’s Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor earlier this week, and the rules state that they cannot re-register, despite the Blaugrana’s confidence that they will be.
Speaking ahead of the Copa del Rey clash against Marbella on Saturday, Simeone said there were no plans to sign anyone in the January transfer window.
Breaking news: Barcelona considers the signings of Pau Víctor and Dani Olmo resolved, in the absence of official confirmation from La Liga or the RFEF. @sport
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 3, 2025
“We have not specifically spoken in reference to any arrival, we always speak in general, anything can happen because the winter market begins. Let’s hope things stay the same or we improve as a team.”
The hot topic in Spanish football is whether Barcelona will be able to register Olmo and Víctor and, naturally, Simeone was asked about it.
“We simply hope that the rules remain in place for everyone and I have no doubt that they will. If he is going to continue playing, I appreciate it, and if the rules say no, then he will not be able to play,” he told Diario AS.
🚨 Jan Oblak, Josema Giménez and Thomas Lemar were absent from training today prior to tomorrow’s CdR match against Marbella.@rubenuria
— Universo Atlético (@architetturauniverse) January 3, 2025
There has been talk that other La Liga clubs, including Atlético, could take legal action against the league if Barcelona manage to register Olmo, but Simeone walked away from any talk about steps they might take.
“As coaches we must follow the rules proposed for all teams and respect that space, there is no other way to approach it.”
“I interpret all the needs to seek opinions and situations that are expected of us, the coaches, I care about Marbella. I can’t do anything else, we have to move on with the game and keep looking for those questions to see if any come in. [like a goal].”
Atlético take on Marbella at La Rosaleda stadium in Málaga on Saturday night at 21:30 CEST, in the first match of the year for Los Colchoneros. They will set a club record with 13 consecutive victories with one victory, but could lose their lead in La Liga on Friday night if Real Madrid beat Valencia.