The surprise factor that could complicate Barcelona’s return to the 1:1 rule – report

Within Barcelona’s financial fair play calculations, spending on youth football and other sporting sections negatively affects the salary cap of the men’s first team.

As such, if the women’s football team or the handball team win their respective Champions League competitions this season, the bonuses paid to players would increase the club’s financial strain and make it harder to return to the 1:1 rule.

Returning to the 1:1 Fair Play rule is crucial. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Naturally, everyone at the club hopes that the women’s team, managed by Pere Romeu, and the handball side, led by Carlos Ortega, achieve European success.

However, it is difficult to understand how a multi-sport club could be penalised for success in its own sections, especially given its role in the growth of women’s football.

‘Dro’ case has an impact too

As mentioned, youth football also counts within Barcelona’s financial fair play calculations.

The club’s recent strategy to protect their academy talents following the controversial departure of Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez for just over his €6 million release clause could also have consequences.

Under this new policy, the release clauses of academy players increase as they reach certain milestones.

Playing in the Youth League, being called up to Barcelona Atletic, making a first-team debut, or reaching a specific number of appearances all progressively raise the value of young prospects and, consequently, their salaries, which could impact the fair play calculations.

However, there is no doubt that sporting considerations will always take priority over financial ones. Barcelona will not decide whether a young player features in the first team based on the financial impact.