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The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has launched an extraordinary disciplinary investigation into Barcelona after a formal complaint from Atlético Madrid, who allege that the Catalan club made improper approaches to Argentine striker Julián Álvarez while he is still under contract at the Metropolitano. Reports state that Barcelona have now been officially informed and must prepare their defence, while Atlético are also entitled to present their arguments before a disciplinary instructor delivers a ruling on the matter.

Atlético have been moving towards this step for some time. The club used their official social media channels to publicly accuse Barcelona of carrying out a sustained campaign of pressure and harassment aimed at Álvarez, who is contracted to Atlético until the summer of 2030. Chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil Marín had already said the club would go to the authorities to protect their rights, and that position has now resulted in the complaint being placed before both the Spanish Federation and FIFA.

The issue escalated during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Álvarez said on 22 June that he felt a transfer was the best decision for his future and that he wanted to realise a long-held dream. Those comments immediately fuelled the belief that Barcelona were his preferred destination. Reports add that Atlético’s formal complaint was submitted on 30 June, accusing Barcelona of making contact with Álvarez during a period in which transfer regulations do not allow such communication.

Julián Álvarez plays for Atlético Madrid in La Liga.

The opening of disciplinary proceedings does not automatically mean punishment will follow, but the sanctions listed in the RFEF disciplinary code are substantial. In Barcelona’s case, penalties could range from financial fines to a partial or complete closure of club facilities for several matches, while the federation’s rules also allow for a deduction of up to three La Liga points — a punishment that would directly affect their league standing.

The harshest possible outcome would be a ban on registering players for one or more transfer windows, something that would directly disrupt Barcelona’s squad-building plans. Álvarez is also not outside the scope of the process: if investigators decide that he took part in breaching federation rules, he could be handed a suspension and, under federation regulations, may also have to compensate Atlético for the period in which the club were unable to use him because of that suspension.

Barcelona’s legal department is believed to be confident that Atlético’s case lacks substance, with club officials convinced that the complaint does not contain evidence capable of proving any wrongdoing. According to reports, Atlético themselves accept that there is no concrete proof in their submission, and because of that Barcelona do not believe there is any reason to change their transfer plans. From the club’s point of view, the process only began after Álvarez publicly stated during the World Cup that he wanted to leave, after which Barcelona formally sent an offer to Atlético — a sequence the club insist shows they followed the correct procedures throughout. Hansi Flick has continued to view the Argentine forward as his main attacking target throughout the dispute.

Supporters create a huge tifo display at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Reports indicate that much now hinges on 10 August, when Álvarez is scheduled to report for Atlético’s pre-season training. What he does that day — whether he reports as expected, and what he says publicly or privately before then — is likely to make his real intentions clearer and could shift the negotiating balance in one direction or the other before the transfer window shuts.