Bermudian lifts Barcelona transfer ban

Barcelona have Bermudian Larry Mussenden to thank for the suspension of their transfer ban.

The Spanish giants were handed the punishment by FIFA for two transfer windows after breaching rules and registering players under the age of 18.

However, the Catalan club appealed the ruling and, as chairman of the FIFA appeal committee, Mussenden has agreed to suspend the ban.

A FIFA statement read: “In this respect, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee, Larry Mussenden, took into consideration the sanctions imposed against the club, the complexity of the matter, the start date of the next registration period – 1 July 2014 – and the fact that the FIFA Appeal Committee does not seem in a position to take a decision on the main issue early enough so that an eventual appeal of the club against its decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport would still be decided before the beginning of the next registration period.

“Consequently, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee considered that the appeal lodged by the club is to be granted suspensive effect.

“In view of the foregoing, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee assures that proper and adequate appeal proceedings will take place and, at the same time, that all rights of the club will be respected.” 

The ruling is set to have a huge impact on next season, with Barca’s squad widely-accepted as in need of a revamp.

With coach Tata Martino’s future far from clear and goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Carlos Puyol both on their way out, new blood is seen as essential.

Young German keeper Marc Andre ter Stegen is reportedly close to a movve to the Nou Camp, while there is fresh speculation today that Chelsea’s David Luiz is wanted by the club.

Failure to add suitable reinforcements would undoubtedly harm Barca’s chances of La Liga and Champions League success for the 2014/2015 season.