Ilaix Moriba not permitted to play with Barcelona B

Ilaix Moriba was not in the starting XI nor on the substitutes’ bench as FC Barcelona B defeated UE Olot 3-1 today. While Moriba has been a part of Barcelona’s senior team somewhat frequently last season, it was no surprise. As has been previously reported, he will not be allowed to play either with the first team or the B team until his contract situation is resolved.

Club president Joan Laporta has publicly commented on the situation, saying Moriba must find another team if he does not accept Barcelona’s latest offer to extend his contract.

If he stays at Barcelona, he will be allowed to leave on a free transfer next summer. However, his development could be stunted because the Catalans will not play him at all.

He is currently seeking a pay raise that Barcelona is both unwilling to offer and perhaps unable to due to their salary cap situation.

The B team will play Girona this weekend, while the senior team will face Juventus in the Joan Gamper Trophy match. If things continue this way, it’s not expected that Moriba will play either game.