Why Barcelona are still operating on reduced player registration capacity

Barcelona are still operating under reduced player registration capacity under La Liga rules following the €200m (£174m) sale of 49% of Barca Studios last summer after not receiving payment of an installment.

Selling off part of the club's audiovisual arm was one of a number of 'economic levers' triggered to help keep Barca ticking over and able to register signings and new contracts amid financial strife.

Barca continued to have issues with registrations this year, delaying the arrivals of Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo until the final day of the transfer window. Ilkay Gundogan also wasn't registered until right before the new season began, several weeks after his actual arrival.

In a statement regarding the sale of a stake in Barca Studios, La Liga have confirmed that the deal was scrutinised and audited, as well as noting a first payment was "correctly paid". But things changed when a follow up payment owed seemingly didn't come.

"La Liga can only scrupulously apply current regulations and accept said transaction authorised by the club's members, under the terms set forth in the Club's Accounts and following the criteria established by the auditors," it explained.

"It should be remembered that in application of said regulations, and as soon as it became aware that payment of a part of the set price had not been paid, La Liga proceeded to reduce the Club's player registration capacity, which remains reduced to this day."

Barcelona are reported to have only received €20m (£17.4m) so far and are seemingly €60m (£52m) down. As part of the Barca Studios deal, another €60m is thought to be owed in each of the next two summers.

Only recently, president Joan Laporta claimed the club's financial recovery will be complete sooner than expected. The club also published 2022/23 accounts last week showing an enormous net profit in excess of €300m (£260m).

READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP