Madrid Commercial Court Rules in Favor of Getafe FC Amid Salary Cap Dispute

The Commercial Court No. 15 of Madrid has partially granted the precautionary measures requested by Getafe FC. This ruling suspends various decisions made by LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that deemed the club exceeded its salary cap, thereby preventing player registrations during the current winter transfer window.

The urgent precautionary measure acknowledges the risk of procedural delay due to the impending closure of the transfer market on February 2. The court’s resolution indicates that “should the demand be upheld without the requested precautionary measures, the effectiveness of judicial protection would be compromised.”

The conflict between Getafe and the RFEF as well as LaLiga stems from LaLiga’s review of the accounting treatment of the loan with an option to purchase player Christantus Uche by Crystal Palace. This transaction initially allowed Getafe to maintain a positive balance for player registrations.

Following a reevaluation by the club’s auditor, LaLiga recalibrated the salary cap to 34.8 million euros against a real cost of 51.9 million euros, indicating an alleged excess of over 17 million euros, which subsequently led to an automatic prohibition on new registrations.

LaLiga and RFEF now have twenty working days to contest the precautionary measure, at which point the judge will determine whether to keep player registrations open or close them permanently. Meanwhile, Getafe is required to provide a bond of 20,000 euros to cover potential damages should they ultimately lose the main proceedings.

During this winter market, the Madrid club has strengthened its squad by registering four players—Boselli, Satriano, Romero, and Luis Vázquez—who are now available for coach José Bordalás.

LaLiga has publicly expressed its surprise regarding the decision from the Commercial Court No. 15 through a statement and announced its intention to appeal, seeking the lifting of the precautionary measure.

In response to the press release issued by Getafe CF regarding the ruling by the Commercial Court No. 15 of Madrid, which, given the imminent closure of the player registration market and without prior consultation with LaLiga or RFEF, has partially granted the precautionary measure requested by the club, LaLiga wishes to clarify the following:

As acknowledged by Getafe CF in its press release, despite the suspension of the precautionary measure, the ruling does not compel LaLiga to automatically recognize the salary cap or to authorize the automatic registration of players without hearing from the defendants first.

In this context, it is important to remember that the decision made by LaLiga’s Budget Validation Body concerning the situation of Getafe CF has been reaffirmed by both the Economic Control Committee and the Social Resources Committee of LaLiga, as well as by the UEFA Licensing Second Instance Committee of the RFEF.

Thus, with the utmost respect for judicial resolutions, LaLiga expresses its disagreement with the granted precautionary measure, as its actions have been proportionate and in strict compliance with the Budget Preparation Regulations. LaLiga will formally oppose at the appropriate procedural moment, requesting the lifting of the precautionary measure, as the necessary conditions for maintaining the suspension are not met.

Finally, LaLiga reiterates its commitment to the strict adherence to economic control regulations, essential pillars for ensuring financial stability and competitive integrity in the league, and will continue to operate, as it has to date, in accordance with its competences and applicable regulations.