An hour before Barcelona’s semi-final game versus Athletic Club, the National Sports Council (CSD) released a statement confirming they had given the Catalonian club an outcome that will see Dani Olmo and Pau Victor be able to play for a precautionary period of time until they fully investigate the case.
Whilst the pair were technically available to play, the decision came in so late that Hansi Flick had already decided his team and chose not to include them in the squad.
Fortunately, the Spanish duo are now available for selection and both of them are set to appear in the final on the 12th of January, against either Real Madrid or Mallorca who play tonight.
Mundo Deportivo has confirmed that the deadline for the CSD to come to a final decision is the 7th of April, however, it could come before that date.
If it does take the whole three months then 30 rounds of La Liga will already have taken place and if Barcelona go far in the Copa Del Rey, the date for the second leg of the semi-final is the 2nd of April with the final set to take place on the 26th of April.
With regards to the Champions League, the first leg of the quarter-finals will take place on the 8th of April, a day after the final decision will be made.
If the CSD decide to let Olmo and Victor be registered then they will be available, if they go the other way and side with the RFEF and La Liga then the pair will be unavailable, however, Flick has to guide Barça to that stage first.
Thankfully the German coach doesn’t have to worry about this for now and in the meantime, Flick can focus on playing the best football possible with all of his players available for selection.
