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Barcelona Sporting Director Carles Rexach Discusses Transfer Ban

James Dudko@@JamesDudkoX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistFebruary 18, 2015

5 May 2001:  Portrait of Barcelona Coach Carles Rexach watches the action during the Spanish Primera Liga match between Espanyol and Barcelona at the Estadi Olimpic De Montjuic, Spain.  The match ended in a 0 - 0 draw. \ Photo by Nuno Correia. \ MandatoryCredit: Allsport UK /Allsport
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"The biggest nonsense I have seen in recent years." That's the assessment of Barcelona's FIFA-imposed transfer ban from Carles Rexach, per AS (h/t ESPN FC reporter Dermot Corrigan).

The Catalan club earned a global transfer ban until January 2016 for violating FIFA guidelines concerning the acquisition of players under the age of 18, per BBC Sport.

Barca then lost two separate appeals since the original ruling was handed down. However, there was a slight easing of tensions between Barcelona and world football's governing body recently.

FIFA consented to allow the club to still sign players this summer. But any new signings cannot be registered before January 2016, the official end date of the ban, according to Sky Sports News HQ (h/t SkySports.com)

Barca can at least put in place another Luis Suarez-scale deal this summer.
Barca can at least put in place another Luis Suarez-scale deal this summer.David Ramos/Getty Images

It's a mild technicality and even lighter concession. All it means is Barca can make their plans now but will have to wait to reap the benefits of any new acquisitions.

The move has clearly done little to placate disgruntled figures such as Rexach. A former striker, scout and manager at Barca, Rexach is now a sporting director.

He's even been named as a member of the club's Football Area Technical Commission, per the team's official site. Part of his tasks may be dealing with the Academy and young players, the very thing that's gotten Barca into trouble currently.

Rexach still believes in Barca's commitment to youth development.
Rexach still believes in Barca's commitment to youth development.Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

But Rexach still believes in the quality and value of Barcelona's Academy: "The people who know La Masia know how well the kids are looked after, how they have to study, and any father would be delighted for his son to go there."

He finished his critique by suggesting he doesn't understand the FIFA laws Barca have been charged with violating. Rexach won't be the only member of the Camp Nou hierarchy feeling that way.