Joan Laporta has taken Dani Olmo's case to court. Next Friday we'll know if the judge grants the player a precautionary measure to continue playing by invoking his right to work.
Laporta is Missing 60 Million
Ultimately, the judicial route is nothing more than a loophole to cover up poor management. The club accounts still don't add up: 60 million are missing to comply with financial fair play and Barça doesn't have them.
No other option remains but a sympathetic judge or for Laporta and his directors to guarantee that amount with their personal assets.
The other formulas were nothing more than empty gestures. Advertising on shorts, selling VIP seats, returning to Camp Nou, trips to exotic Eastern countries, etc.
FC Barcelona faces the embarrassing reality before the world that it can't register its only summer transfer. It's understandable that Nico Williams fled in a hurry and that Kimmich, horrified, is looking for other options.
There is Money to Have a Meal at Botafumeiro
All because the accounting is not being taken care of. What is being taken care of is the gastronomic festival program of the president at the most expensive restaurants in Barcelona.
There is money for that, however. To invite rival boards and pretend an opulence that doesn't exist, when everyone already knows Barça's weaknesses.
Sometimes Laporta gives the impression that he has money to spare. That's what it seemed when he signed the new contract with Nike (1.7 billion) reserving a juicy commission for Darren Dein for acting as an intermediary.
Curious. Barça and Nike have been united since 1998. What need was there for intermediaries? Don't both parties know each other by now?
A 60-Million Windfall
Darren Dein is the agent of players like Xavi Simons and coaches like Cesc Fàbregas. Darren Dein is a millionaire thanks to Barça.
The windfall from his commission participating in the new Nike contract amounts to 60 million euros. They say it was for presenting a higher offer from Puma for Nike to match.
The 60 million that Laporta generously gifted to his friend Dein are precisely what prevents him from registering Dani Olmo.
Barça's problem is 60 million. It is what is missing from Laporta's accounts to register Dani Olmo. 60 million is what the Nike intermediary has pocketed.
At Barça, things are done this way. Joan Laporta announced the end of commissions when he arrived at Barça in 2003.
Pure ignorance, youthful mistake. Laporta didn't know then how things work in this business. Now he does.