FIFA Suspends Barca Transfer Ban - Will the Club Act Finally?

Futbol Club Barcelona's appeal against the Transfer ban imposed by FIFA has been accepted by the footballing body. FIFA also have released the statement describing that they have suspended the sentence as they didn't see the appeal process(both at FIFA and CAS) to be completed before the commencement of the next tarnsfer and registration window. This definitely is very good news for Barca fans as we would finally be able to sign replacements of first team players who are leaving and reinforce positions which are stretched at the moment. We were pretty worried of the propsepect of Pinto being the first choice keeper once Valdes leave this summer. Not to worry anymore as Barca would be able to complete their signing of Ter Stegen from Germany. Not only that Barca will be able to complete the signing of Alen Halilovic. We were looking at the possibility of this Croatian wonder kid being stolen under our nose. Not to be anymore.

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FC Barcelona Transfermarkt - 5 Players who could Leave Camp Nou this Summer

With the Club President indicating recently about a massive influx of players this summer, it may be wise for some of the current squad members to look for better options. It's not that the Club would be going in for a massive overhaul, especially considering that this management has always made only noise and has fallen short on their actions. Regardless of whether the Club management gets their act together, there are a number of players who urgently needs to look at whatever options available to them. These include a number of promising youngsters. Below is the list of players who are expected to leave Camp Nou at the end of this season.

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Barca Tweets - Barca Stars Refuses to concede Title

Barca star players have refused to give up on their title hope. They promised to keep fighting until the end.

Iniesta: "We continue to fight for the Liga. It'd be unforgivable if we wouldn't take advantage of a mistake of our opponents." #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 21, 2014

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Next Week could be crucial for Barca's Remaining La Liga Hopes

Strange things happen in Football, not one many, many times. So I would say that Barca still have a glimmer hope of retaining their La Liga crown coming next week. But whatever small hope Barca have about La Liga could be decided at the end of next week. As of now, Atletico Madrid stands six point clear of Real Madrid(who have a game in hand) and four point clear of Barcelona. The equation is simple - if Atletico does not drop any point in the next three outings, the League title is theirs for the taking. The last match of the season will be only for crowning. But with some high profile matches coming this week, Atletico may have a chance of dropping some points, something every Barca fan is hoping for.

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FC Barcelona Match Highlights | FC Barcelona - 2, Athletic Bilbao - 1

Lionel Messi and Pedro scored for Barca at the Camp Nou to break the losing streak. The La Liga may have moved out of our grips but we need to restore some pride.

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FC Barcelona Transfer News - Klopp and Marco Reus Tops Barca's Wish list

Barca appears to have zoomed in on the coach and player pair of Klopp and Reus as their prime target for this summer's transfer window, or at least the Catalan wants us to think so. With the season suddenly taking a turn for worse, it is natural to hear clamour to replace Martino. It looks like the Catalan media have identified the current Borussia Dortmund coach as the ideal replacement for Martino. A week ago they were harping on the name of Luis Enrique and others; now they are simply forgotten. It was natural that in this Marco Reus also was added, especially with that brilliant performance against our arch-rival Real Madrid.

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FC Barcelona wins UEFA Youth League

FC Barcelona boys have won this years's UEFA Youth League Cup by beating Benifica in the final 3-0. Watch the highlights below which involve a spectacular Golazo.

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Barca Images GIF - Granada Keeper Saving Lionel Messi Free Kick

This was that kind of night. Nothing would go in regardless of how much we tried. In any other day, this Messi free kick would have gone through, but not today.

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Has Barca conceded la Liga Race? Barca - 0, Granada - 1

When I wrote the preview, I warned specifically about taking Granada lightly in a must win match. That precisely was what Barca did and paid heavily for that. After going down to a shock Brahimi fall Barca failed to react properly in the first half and they paid for that. Even though we threw everything at Granada in the second half, the ball wouldn't go in. With this defeat we may have conceded defeat in our La Liga title defense. Unbelievable has been this week, from challenging for three titles we have been effectively reduced to challenging for the King's Cup. With two consecutive defeats Barca needs to react fast from preventing the season spiralling out of control. To the surprise of everyone who expected Martino to rest many of his usual starters, Martino started with many. The front three had Neymar, Messi and Pedro. The midfield had Iniesta, Cesc and Song. The defense had Mascherano and Busquets forming the central defense with Montoya and Adriano on the flanks.

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Barça Images GIF - Lionel Messi's Brilliant Goal against Milan

Lionel Messi's first goal against Milan in 2012-13 season's Champions League. Those who criticize him should remember how good he is when the team could give him a bit more space. Those who are interested should see Villa's positioning and the effect that has on the defense.

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Barca vs Granada Match Preview

When the season's calendar was drawn, a visit to Granada was one of the least interesting fixture. Now being sandwiched between the two clash between the Capital Giants, this looks a pretty interesting fixture now. This is Barcelona's chance to recover from the disappointment of the Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid. More importantly, it is the best way to prepare themselves for Wednesday's Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid. Realistically speaking, this should be an easy away win ( Barca's Wiining odd is at 2/7 at sports betting at Betfair ). But a simple win may not do the job for Barca. We most probably would have to make a statement. A statement of intent which sends a message to the World and to our opponents, especially Real Madrid. With the Champions League exit it is time for us to concentrate on the two available trophies. That should ensure this as a successful season, but if we are not careful we may end up ruining everything. So the consolidation need to start tomorrow against Granada.

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PSG or City, Please Sign Messi | Barca Fans Surely don't Deserve Him!

The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions

Lionel Messi is suddenly in the midst of all things Barca, not sure he would like that! There are cries in internet blogs and boards about need to sell him. Sure he was crap against Atletico Madrid, he wasn't the only one! But they only want him to be sold? They say Pep Guardiola took the brave decision of selling Ronaldinho and current Barca management should take similar decision with the Argentinian captain. They easily forget that two weeks ago they were all sitting back enjoying the Clasico victory which was fashioned by the star player almost alone. I do agree that Iniesta was brilliant in that match but let's take the big moments - first goal created by Messi, Second goal created by his sheer will and scored too, third created by a brilliant Messi through ball and scored the penalty. But still they wanted to sell him because he was crap against Atletico Madrid. He wasn't alone in that Iniesta was really poor but somehow all the blame is for Messi to shoulder. When Neymar was playing really poor no one asked him to be sold out. And they want to do that to a man who single handily has fashioned some of the greatest story this team has seen.

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5 Reasons Why BaRça GoT Eliminated from 2013-14 UEFA Champions League?

Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.

With FC Barcelona's elimination from the UEFA Champions League, it appears the World as we know has come to an end! Not really, nothing changes; life goes on so do football. We now need to focus fully on the Copa Del Rey final and the league where we could get a chance to extract revenge on Atletico Madrid. With this defeat Barca's attempt to appear in a seventh consecutive semi-final has come to an end. Seven consecutive semi-finals and two championship is no mean task, but many believe that this team still has so much to offer. That's the reason why the elimination at the hands of Atletico surprised many. But whoever have closely watched Simeone's Atletico, it never surprised. Many thought than an upset is possible especially with the second leg at the Vicente Calderon. Let’s look at the reasons why Barca failed or better put Atletico won the tie.

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Brilliant Atletico Eliminates Barca | Barca - 0, Atletico Madrid - 1

Barca's hope for another Champions League Semi-Final appearance were thrashed by an excellent Atletico side who were as good as in defense as in offense. The 1-0 score line did not portray what happened in the game. Had Atletico had a bit more luck, they would have been 4-5 goals up by half time. After all, they struck the crossbar four times by the time the interval came. FC Barcelona were poor throughout. For the initial the term Barca defense only appeared on paper as it was nowhere to be seen on the pitch. To be honest the offensive side was also in a similar situation with Messi and Iniesta having one of their worst nights in recent memory. Questions will be asked about Martino's selection choice, especially the false-9 experiment with Cesc Fabregas simply was wasted as I have mentioned in the match preview. There wasn't much surprise in Barcelona line-up for this must win game. Alba,Mascherano, Bartra and Alves made the defense. Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta formed the midfield. cesc Fabregas was deployed in a false-9 role with Messi on the righ and Neymar on the left. Atletico meanwhile, had to leave out Diego Costa from the squad. Their line-up had Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Fillipe, Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia, Adrian and Villa.

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All Out for Victory | Barca vs Atletico UCL QF 2nd Leg Preview

Amid all the breaking news and rumours and stories of conspiracy, it is easy for all of us to forget that there a decisive match to be played tomorrow which will decide FC Barcelona's fate in Europe this season. After that thrilling, not so favourable 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou; the stage is set for the 2nd edition of this epic battle, this time at the Vicente Calderon. In normal circumstances, in the build-up to such a big game nothing else would have dominated the news headlines. But then these are no ordinary times, these are times when the club's resolve is tested every day with a new issue at hand(some they themselves dig up). So this week it was all about the transfer ban that FIFA has imposed and the implication of it to Barca's chances next season. Now at least for 48 hours that discussion will adorn the back pages as there is battle to be won. When I say battle, I am not meaning it literally. Physically also this one will be one heck of a battle - with the atmosphere at the Vicente Calderon, the physical presence and style of the other team from Capital and more importantly the presence of Howard Webb, UEFA's pick for officiating the match. Going by Howard Webb's record, everyone is free to go for each other’s throat especially in the first half. Even if a player is murdered in the first Half, by Webb's rulebook it's not worthy of a booking; forget expulsion!

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Barca turns to 'La Masia' in the Moment of Crisis

Something Good Comes out of Every Crisis

In the moment of crisis one realise their true strengths! It looks like that's what happening at the moment at Barca. FC Barcelona is looking very much at the possibility of being kept out of the transfer market for a year or more. And what's the response from Barca's management to the FIFA's year long ban? A moral lecture about La Masia, its principles, its values and it's achievements. The problem is that when you are accused of violating a legal provision, lectures of morality are not going to do any good. It simply is an admission from the management that we are on a very sticky wicket and there may not be any help coming from any sides. That's why we keep hearing the talks of a secret conspiracy, a secret complainer, a black hand behind the curtains etc. The series of events which led to this could indicate a conspiracy behind the scene, but that does not give the management any face saving opportunity.

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Barca Images GIF - Lionel Messi's Second Penalty against Real Betis

Lionel Messi's second penalty against Real Betis

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FC Barcelona - 3, Real Betis - 1 | Messi Penalties give Barca Vital Three Points

Barca kept their pursuit of the league leaders Atletico Madrid by raking up a not so impressive victory against Real Betis at home. Two penalties from Lionel Messi and an own goal gave Barca 3-1 victory. The team was no where near its best but still the three points gained again was vital as Atletico Madrid won earlier. Real Betis played well for most of the part and would consider themselves pretty unlucky having to concede two soft penalties and an own goal. Martino went with a very strong side against the bottom placed Real Betis. Neymar, Alba and Cesc were omitted from the starting line-up ahead of Wednesday's 2nd leg match against Atletico Madrid. Pinto, Alves, Bartra, Mascherano, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi and Pedro all started at the Camp Nou.

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FC Barcelona Banned from Transfer Market by FIFA!

This news is bad, extremely bad. It is reported in FIFA's website that FC Barcelona has been banned from the transfer market for two consecutive transfer windows after they were found in breach of a number of regulations regarding international transfer of minor players. As per the report Barcelona would not be allowed to sell or buy players until the summer of 2015. Please visit FIFA site for more details - FC Barcelona Banned from Transfer Market. The Club's first response has been on the expected line with a promise to look into it and appeal the same. It was not only Barca who were sanctioned, but the Spanish Federation was also fined for alleged breach of regulations. It has to be seen whether Barca's defense of this issue would revolve around Spanish federation allowing the registration of players?

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Atletico holds advantage with a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou | FC Barcelona - 1, Atletcio Madrid - 1

Atletico Madrid holds a slight advantage going into the second leg after scoring a precious away goal in a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou. FC Barcelona has to go for the kill at Vicente Calderon in eight days time. In a very tight match two brilliant piece of individual skill proved decisive. First was Diego's brilliant goal which opened the scoring in the night. Barcelona's equalizer came from a collective brilliance of first Iniesta who played a brilliant pass and then Neymar's whose finish showed his class; at least Martino can justify his selection of Neymar now. But the real change in Barca's tempo came after the introduction of Sanchez, and that is something for Matino to ponder over in the second leg. As I wrote in the preview, Martino went with an eleven I predicted. Cesc and Neymar found their way in to the starting eleven ahead of the in form Pedro and Sanchez. So we had more or less the same eleven apart from Pinto, which started against Real Madrid and Manchester City. Neymar, Messi and Iniesta formed the front trio. Xavi, Busquets and Cesc made up the midfield. Alves, Pique, Mascherano and Alba formed the defense in front of Pinto. Putting rest to all the rumours about a late injury, Diego Costa started for Atletico Madrid along with Villa, Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Koke, Gabi, Tiago and Arda Turan.

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FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid UEFA QF Preview | Battle of Spain in Champions League

Battle of Spain will resume at the Camp Nou when FC Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final. This will be their fourth meeting since the start of the season. All the three previous meetings between the current leader and the defending champion of La Liga has all ended in draws. That, simply put how tough this tie is going to be for Barca, especially with the second leg at Vicente Calderon. There is no easy ties in this stage of the tournament, but Atletico Madrid presents a hell of a challenge for us. The only positive is that we don't have to do much travel, and that will help not only in the Champions League but also in the League.

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Will Martino's insistence on Neymar hurt Barca?

Neymar's continued inclusion in the FC Barcelona's first eleven has raised a lot of questions. At 56 Million or the revised rate of 86 Million, everyone does expect him to start each match but his form has been pretty wobbly in recent times. Meanwhile, Pedro and Sanchez constantly outdo him with their hard work and form. But that hasn't mattered much for them as Neymar's name always finds its place in the starting eleven ahead of those two. Among pundits and fans, there has been unanimous agreement that playing either Pedro or Sanchez ahead of Neymar will help the team offensively.

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