FC Barcelona’s 2013/14 pre-season campaign was tarnished with tax fraud allegations against Lionel Messi. As if it wasn’t enough, the mighty Spanish club was then accused of transfer fraud concerning Neymar’s move away from Santos. The intensity of this transfer issue led to the resignation of Sandro Rosell as club president in January.
Problems continue to hurt Barca under new president Bartomeu. On Wednesday, the Catalans were slapped with a two-transfer window ban for “illegal buying and selling of players under 18” according to FIFA.
However, Barcelona vice president Javier Faus is certain that “enemies” are behind all the controversies to fall down the club.
Speaking to the Spanish press on Thursday, Faus boldly declared:
“What's happening is not a coincidence or accidental. Over the last five years Barca have been the victims of a series of accusations, such as doping and the aggression of our coaches such as Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova.
“Now there is [Lionel] Messi [tax evasion allegations], now Neymar [transfer controversy]. It isn't fortuitous. If Barca as an institution, along with the fans, aren't strong, then these things will do us harm. Our proposal is to move together.”
Issues concerning Messi, Neymar, Sandro Rosell; distracting for Tata [Photo: MARCA]
Blaming current events as the results of a conspiracy against his club, Faus added:
“They try to erode the image of Barca but they won't be able to do that. As an institution we have said 'enough'! We will investigate who is behind this and when we can prove it, we will comment.”
FC Barcelona has vowed to fight FIFA’s sanction as Javier Faus confirmed:
“I am surprised that Barcelona's training model is being called into question. La Masía has always set an example. We are absolutely against all of this. We are optimistic after speaking to the lawyers. We hope that FIFA rules on our side.”
Popular fan page BarcaStuff also had its take of the current situation:
Meanwhile, the agent of 21-year-old Borussia Mochengladbach shot stopper Ter Stegen told SportBild on Wednesday:
“If I have read the Fifa announcement in the right way, Marc-Andre's transfer [to FC Barcelona] will not be done in summer.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that a €12M move for the Germany-based starlet was almost done and dusted. However, several questions have popped up after the declarations of Ter Stegen’s agent. Will Barcelona extend the contract of Victor Valdes?
The latter was set to quit the club at the end of the season but with his serious ankle injury, interested clubs like AS Monaco and Manchester City may lose interest in hunting for Valdes’ signature this summer.
Valdes injuring himself vs Celta Vigo
The Catalans may decide to promote Pinto as a first choice option or go in for another goalkeeper. In that case, expect several goalkeepers to be heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou during the summer transfer window.
On the pitch, FC Barcelona’s progress continues. The Blaugrana are looking to win the Copa del Rey title at Real Madrid’s expense this month, wrestle until Matchday 38 to retain their Primera Division crown, and qualify for the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League semi-finals come next week.
