Barcelona’s appeal to register Gavi has been rejected, player will return to youth contract | OneFootball

In a blow for FC Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo is reporting that the club’s appeal against overturning the first-team registration of Gavi has been rejected by the court. The 18-year-old will now return to his youth contract and can only be registered after Barça lower their wage bill.

Barcelona were successful in registering Gavi as a first-team player on January 31 after obtaining a precautionary measure from the court. However, La Liga had filed an appeal against the same, citing that the Catalans had missed the deadline.

The court ruled in favour of the league earlier this month although a concrete decision was not made, as a result of which Gavi was allowed to continue wearing the #6 shirt and be counted as a first-team member.

Barça had appealed against the ruling last Wednesday, but their appeal has now been rejected by the 10th Commercial Court of Barcelona, meaning Gavi will no longer be counted as a first-team member.

Indeed, the 18-year-old will go back to his youth contract until the end of the season while he will also be deregistered for the next season as Barcelona have exceeded their salary limit.

It means that for Gavi to be registered as a first-team player again, the Blaugrana will have to reduce their wage bill, putting them in a precarious position over the future of the youngster, with clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City lurking to swoop.

Barcelona have a time of 20 days to appeal the latest decision at the Provincial Court and it remains to be seen if this is the path that Joan Laporta & co. decide to take.