The timing could not have been worse. As the world comes to grips with FIFA’s sanctioning of Barcelona, the under-acknowledged truism, you reap what you sow, seems to become even more appropriate when describing the punishment that has befallen the Catalans.
After carrying out a series of investigations last year, world football’s governing body found the Spanish champions guilty of several violations which relate to the transfers and registrations of foreign under-18 players, a clause which falls under article 19 of FIFA’s “Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players”.
However, despite the timing of the punishment, it should come as no surprise that La Blaugrana have fallen foul of football law. Years of club mismanagement have finally taken their toll on the club.
Perhaps the most recent and telling example of club mismanagement lies in Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona. The desperation in Sandro Rosell’s attempt to sign a star attacker capable of sharing the offensive burden with Lionel Messi led to the mishandling of club finances.
At one point, the club stated that the Brazilian’s transfer cost £48.6mbutwere soon forced to revise the total to £71m after a club member questioned that legitimacy of such a claim.
Inevitably, the fallacy that was Neymar’s initial transfer fee left the club red-faced, with new President Josep Maria Bartomeu, appointed after Rosell resigned, admitting: “It's embarrassing because we think we are right. We think we did things properly, that everything was done in the correct and best way."
Rosell may no longer be affiliated with the club, but Barcelona are now counting the costs of his foolish actions during his four-year tenure as President, a calamitous period which has left the club divided by politics. The sweet life of Barcelona is hanging by a thread.
The implications of FIFA’s latest investigations are costly. And if media reports are to be believed, the Camp Nou outfit have been banned from carrying out transfers in the next two transfer windows at a time when Barca badly need new blood.
FIFA’s latest ruling will, as a result, affect the short-term future of the club. Alen Halilovic and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen may end up joining due negotiations having taken place prior to the imposition of the ban. It’s not yet clear.
However, Barcelona’s attempts at refurbishing an aging line-up will have taken its toll – in particular, the club’s inability to find adequate replacements to shore up a fragile defence.
It also means that Barcelona will be unable to dispose of the fringe members of the squad, who have been unable to live up to their initial hype.
In addition, the club’s long legacy of ethical and fair practice of transfers and youth development will suffer as a result. The reputation of the club will surely take a brutal hit.
Barca have confirmed they will appeal the decision and some have pointed to the case of Chelsea, who overturned a 12-month transfer ban related to the signing of Gael Kakuta. But it’s not clear if the Kakuta precedent is relevant to Barca’s case.
Nevertheless, this latest setback should see the Barca’s board go back to the drawing board. Year and years of mismanagement have taking their toll. It is a costly mistake, one which will take years and years to mend.
