Barcelona director Javier Bordas has insisted that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are not to blame for their transfer bans.
Madrid and Atleti have both been banned from registering new players for two transfer windows after breaking rules on minors, in the same manner as Barca two years ago, but Bordas believes FIFA has designed its rulebook in a way which “ends up hurting” those involved.
“The punishments handed to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid remind me of how it felt when it happened to us. It’s a disproportionate punishment,” he was quoted as saying by AS after Friday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final draw, which paired Barca with Athletic Bilbao.
“I believe that none of the three clubs have violated the spirit of the law, and while we may have breached its wording, the punishment is still too strong.
“I’m convinced that they will fight for the precaution.
“The big difference is that we fulfilled the first punishment and ours looked more serious than [Madrid and Atleti’s], having committed the same offence.
“We felt [the punishment] was disproportionate when it happened to us.
“Now that there is already a precedent set, it seems more normal.
“When it happened to us, we found it to be absolutely disproportionate and incomprehensible.
“Now that there’s a history [of the ban], it seems logical that all who violate the rule are punished.
“I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault. I think it’s a law which isn’t right.
“It’s designed to protect children, but it ends up hurting them.
“What was unethical is that the only party who lost out were Barcelona.
“Everyone else who broke the rules will have to pay the same penalty.”
