Spanish Court Orders La Liga to Register Gavi’s New Contract Amid League’s Resistance

La Liga has been ordered to register Gavi’s contract renewal at Barcelona following a ruling by a Spanish court, despite the league insisting it fails to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Rather incredibly, the 18-year-old technically remained a youth player according to his previous contract, even though he has risen to prominence as one of Xavi’s most effective operators in midfield over the past two seasons.

The Golden Boy recipient and the Barcelona board have been attempting to register him as a first team player since he agreed to to a new contract in September of last year.

However, La Liga initially rejected the proposal on the grounds that the club are failing to align with their agreed salary cap for this current season. It is no secret the Blaugrana have been embroiled in persistent disputes with the league over their salary bill, and as a result, have been unable to register first team players on several occasions.

Gavi takes Barcelona's No. 6 shirt after officially being registered to the first team.

Two legendary numbers passed on 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/cDD5D68v0h

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 31, 2023

With Gerard Pique retiring, Memphis Depay heading to Atletico Madrid and Hector Bellerin completing a deadline day move to Sporting Lisbon, the Spanish league leaders were hopeful that contract renewals for both Gavi and Marcos Alonso, which was also blocked by La Liga, would go ahead.

The league expect Barcelona to reduce their overall salary bill by around €200 million by the start of next season, which explains why there is so much resistance to contracts renewals and new player proposals, which they tried to subvert with a failed loan deal for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat before the deadline this week.

However, they have been handed a boost by a court ruling, which ordered La Liga to allow the registration of Gavi as a first team player, along with his improved contract that reflects his starting status.

However, the league have instantly replied with intention to appeal the court’s decision, saying: “As of today, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, La Liga is unaware of the contents of the main legal claim. This provisional measure has been adopted without La Liga having had the opportunity to present its arguments.”