Barcelona committed some irregularities – Bartomeu

• Posted on August 25, 2014August 25, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The Blaugrana president has acknowledged they have been at fault, while making it clear they could make more signings this summer

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has admitted that the Catalans have been guilty of certain irregularities on the transfer market in relation to the signing of minors, but feels Fifa’s sanctions are too harsh as Barca “respected the spirit of the regulations”.

The Camp Nou outfit are banned from signing any new players for two consecutive transfer windows – starting in January 2015 – after they were found guilty of a breach of the regulations concerning the signing of players under 18, but they have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to have their punishment revised.

Bartomeu admitted to wrongdoing on the club’s part and insists the penalty is too harsh.

“We were aware that Fifa would ratify its sanction. In the past we have committed certain irregularities, but always respected the spirit of the regulation,” Bartomeu was quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

“We knew that we’d end up going to the CAS, and now that time has come. We’ve opted to go to CAS because we feel the punishment is disproportionate.

“It was highly unlikely that Fifa would not ratify a sanction that had already been imposed. It was only to be expected, but the penalty is far too harsh.”

Bartomeu then went on to stress that Barcelona already anticipated their transfer ban this summer with the arrival of several new players, before adding that they could bring in more fresh faces in the next seven days.

“Barca had planned for the new season in the knowledge that we might not be able to make signings in the next two transfer windows and that at the same time there was a pressing need to renew the squad.

“There are still a few days to go and we’ll be eyeing the market. Let’s see what happens over the next few days.”

By Stefan Coerts