Barcelona fined £503 over approach for Alvarez

Barcelona have been fined €602 (£503) after Atletico Madrid complained about contact the club made with striker Julian Alvarez.

Atletico accused La Liga rivals Barcelona of approaching Argentina international Alvarez without first notifying them in writing.

The 26-year-old remained at Atletico and has a contract which runs until June 2030.

The Spanish football association issued the fine. Atletico also complained to FIFA, but football’s governing body declared it had no jurisdiction over the case.

Alvarez has frequently been booed by his own supporters this season, but some gave him a standing ovation after he scored the winning goal against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

After that victory, which put Diego Simeone’s side within two points of leaders Barcelona, Alvarez took the opportunity to apologise to Atletico fans.

Referring to an interview he gave during the summer in which he said he wanted to “fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona, Alvarez said: “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.”

Alvarez joined Atletico Madrid from Manchester City on a six-year deal in August 2024, worth up to £81.5m.

After scoring 36 goals in 103 appearances for City, he has scored 51 goals in 115 games for Atletico.