Elche file a complaint against Barcelona to RFEF for ‘fielding an ineligible player’

Barcelona tore apart Elche 4-0 to restart their campaign, following the year’s first international game. It was a routine performance from the league leaders, who have been quite clinical throughout the season.

However, as reported by COPE, Elche had filed a complaint against Barcelona shortly after the game, for fielding an ineligible player in the form of Gavi.

Elche, who are dawdling at rock bottom of La Liga table, argue that Gavi is ineligible as his contract registration was annulled, in a decision last month that saw the Mercantile Court of Barcelona reverse its ruling.

Gavi, who was arguably the man of the match in the 4-0 victory, had signed a contract extension with Barcelona last summer. But the contract was not ratified by La Liga due to the Financial Fair Play regulations.

Although Barça relied upon the court to register Gavi’s contract at the end of January, the decision was reversed last month, meaning the youngster returned to his old Barça youth contract that expires at the end of the season.

Because of the contract, Gavi is still able to play for the Barcelona first team. But it appears Elche thought otherwise and filed a complaint to RFEF. Their complaint was filed three minutes before the deadline expired.

RFEF, though, are unlikely to entertain this issue as Gavi can continue featuring in the first team on his youth team contract.

Barcelona, though, must soon find a solution to Gavi’s contract situation before other teams across Europe start taking note. The player, for his part, remains calm about the situation and trusts the club to find a resolution by the end of the season.