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The ongoing saga involving Athletic Club, Barcelona, and Nico Williams added another chapter earlier this week.
It was revealed that the Bilbao-based club intended to audit Barcelona’s finances, a step they planned to communicate to both La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The objective was to try and block Nico’s transfer to Barça given the Catalans’ Financial Fair Play situation, although the Basque club insisted they were doing so to uphold the integrity of the competition and ensure that no regulations were breached.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta responded to Athletic Club’s stance, expressing confusion over their approach.
“Everyone should mind their own business. I do not understand why they would speak to LaLiga, I do not think it is their place, but they know what they are doing,” Laporta said.
Now, Athletic Club issued a public statement detailing their meeting with La Liga, during which the subject of Barcelona’s ability to register players was discussed. The statement was titled: “Athletic Minds Its Own Business”.
“The Club appreciates the willingness and clarity of the body that defends the interests of all clubs. Within the framework of financial fair play, among other issues, FC Barcelona’s ability to sign players was discussed,” the Basque club confirmed.
“Athletic Club would like to thank La Liga for the willingness and clarity shown in the meeting held yesterday between both entities, which was attended by the presidents of both organizations, Javier Tebas and Jon Uriarte.”
ℹ️ Reunión con @LaLiga
El Athletic Club agradece la disposición y claridad del organismo que defiende los intereses de todos los clubes.
En el marco del fair play financiero, se trató, entre otros asuntos, la capacidad de incorporación de jugadores por parte del FC Barcelona.
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) June 26, 2025
“The meeting was held in Madrid in response to a request from Athletic Club made within the framework of compliance with financial fair play.”
Athletic Club made it clear that they felt it was pertinent for them to discuss the matter after Barcelona director Deco went public with their interest in signing Nico, who is contracted with the Basque club until 2027.
“Among the issues discussed was FC Barcelona’s ability to sign players, given Athletic Club’s legitimate interest in accessing the corresponding information, after FC Barcelona sporting director Anderson Luis de Souza ‘Deco’ publicly acknowledged that they will try to sign a player from our first team.
“This player has a valid contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2027. Minding our own business is ensuring that the rules of the competition are followed.”
“Deco’s statements were followed by the public statements made by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, admitting that the Blaugrana club ‘is working to be within the 1:1 rule’ and, therefore, is not currently within the parameters of said rule for registering players.
Athletic then thanked La Liga for their response, stating:
“We appreciate La Liga’s complete willingness and clarity in its qualified response, while affirming that Athletic Club will defend its interests to the fullest extent in compliance with the financial fair play regulations approved by each and every one of the professional clubs that make up La Liga.”