By DAN KARELL
FC Barcelona will be able to buy players in the next transfer window, at least for the time being.
FIFA released a memo on Wednesday saying that Barcelona’s transfer ban from FIFA has been temporarily lifted due to an appeal lodged by the club. FIFA had placed the ban on Barcelona for the next two transfer windows due to what they found as irregularities in Barcelona’s transfer policies with players under the age of 18. FIFA say they found 10 instances where Barca broke FIFA statute and policy regarding Under-18 transfers.
The statement released by FIFA states that Barcelona asked for the appeal to go into effect effective immediately and that FIFA Appeals Committee chairman Larry Mussenden agreed that he and the Appeals Committee did not have enough time before July 1 to accurately deliver a verdict on the appeal.
The news is huge for Barcelona, who are dealing with an aging squad and are in need of at least two new signings this summer, including replacements for defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Here are some more stories to start off your Wednesday:
MOYES MAKES FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT SINCE FIRING
After a period of radio silence from David Moyes, the former Manchester United manager has released a statement through the League Managers Association regarding his time at Old Trafford.
Moyes thanked both his coaching staff and Sir Alex Ferguson, who famously selected the then-Everton manager to succeed him towards the tail-end of last season. However, Moyes did not thank the players at any point of the statement.
“To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud,” Moyes said. “Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on.
“The scale of the manager’s job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff. I thank them for their dedication and loyalty throughout the last season.
“I have always believed that a manager never stops learning during his career and I know I will take invaluable experience from my time as United’s manager. I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter finals of this year’s Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United”.
In an additional statement, LMA chief executive Richard Bevin slammed Man United’s conduct in their firing of Moyes, labeling them as “unprofessional.” Moyes lasted just 10 months into his six-year contract with Man United before being fired on Tuesday morning.
CECH OUT FOR SEASON
In somewhat ironic circumstances, Chelsea lost their starting goalkeeper while facing his eventual replacement.
During Chelsea’s scoreless draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, Cech was forced off at halftime after being clattered into by Atletico’s Raul Garcia, injuring Cech’s shoulder in the process. The injury is bad enough to keep the Czech Republic international off the field for the rest of the season, according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
John Terry also left the match injured and Mourinho estimated that Terry would be out until the UEFA Champions League final at the earliest.
“”Petr Cech’s season over,” Mourinho said. “Don’t ask me technically, but season over. And John – we have to play the final for him to play with us.”
CLUB LEON KNOCKED OUT OF COPA LIB, MARQUEZ SEES RED
Club Leon suffered a double blow on Wednesday evening as they were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores on away goals and finished their match against Bolivia’s Bolivar with ten men.
The final score of the game was overshadowed by another classic Rafa Marquez red card. The Mexican National Team captain lost his cool in the 77th minute, kicking Bolivar midfielder Gerardo Yecerotte in the back when Marquez realized he wouldn’t get on the end of a 50/50 challenge. The incident happened right in front of the referee, who immediately pulled out the red card and sent Marquez off the field.
The night began well for Leon as they took an early sixth minute lead off the head of Franco Arizala. But Bolivar, to their home fans delight, leveled the scoreline in the 36th minute when defender Ronald Eguino bundled home a deflected cross with a header of his own.
Marquez took to Twitter following the match to apologize for his actions.
QUICK KICKS
With 50 days to go before the start of the World Cup, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said that there is still “lots of work to do” on the four still-unfinished stadiums in Brazil. (REPORT)
Gareth Bale could miss Real Madrid’s match against Bayern Munich due to an illness. (REPORT)
Paul Scholes has joined Ryan Giggs staff at Man United as an assistant coach on a temporary basis. (REPORT)
Bayer Leverkusen have decided to disband their U-23/reserves team that competes in the Regionalliga at the end of this season because they don’t feel it prepares their youngsters for the Bundesliga. Players will be loaned out to higher clubs instead. (REPORT)