Craig Burley TORCHES Barcelona for 'stupid' transfer request | ESPN FC

With Ousmane Dembele ruled out for the rest of the season and Luis Suarez sidelined for several months, Barcelona reportedly expect to be granted permission by the Royal Spanish Football Federation to sign an attacker outside the transfer window. ESPN FC’s Craig Burley tears into Barca about the request, expressing disbelief a rule exists that would allow the La Liga title contenders to make an emergency signing outside the transfer window. Meanwhile, Steve Nicol defends Barcelona for exploiting the opportunity if the federation allows it.
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[@johnnysins9054]

Barca’s board don’t know how to plan they just wing it all the time

[@zajlaug4022]

Yeah, agreed. They know they have injuries and still don't go and get a players during transfer window and they want one. Bad management from the boards, especially president and director of football.

[@eggsII]

“We bought the best player 20 years ago, so we don’t need to plan anything else...”

[@zachwhite7258]

Johnny sins’ next job will be Barca board member

[@luisgarcia8565]

theyre so lucky that messi alone solves 80% of their problems year after year

[@vik24oct1991]

You should be barca president , post match will be exciting as well.

[@MrWhite-zt6nu]

When Messi eventually retires Barcelona could become new AC Milan

[@Zenapprentice]

Epic Troll no. The new Sunderland.

[@dlhussain81]

Epic Troll or new Man U

[@travistravis3620]

Epic Troll They’ll do better trust me

[@FromTheHipp]

spoken by people that never watched barca before messi. you idiots do realize that barca have a long history of amazing players play for the club. stick to the prem

[@MrWhite-zt6nu]

@@FromTheHipp milan and man united had a long history of great players too but that doesn't matter if the club is run poorly nowdays so your point is irrelevant

[@BoxOfOranges84]

Ironic that the teams with the most money, dont know how to use it properly

[@123nich]

BoxOfOranges84 it’s like governments! xD

[@joshdolan9146]

Mancity has THE most money and spends it better than probably any other club

[@danduhman1608]

Man city spends their money pretty well tbh

[@Brandon16Khalifa]

Yea because the media and fans be hyping players up when they one season wonders.

[@hao2000ki]

to be fair they got all that money from the neymar transfer and got spoiled so they're just spending money left and right now

[@johnnyboyLFC]

So what if your strikers are all injured...Go to your academy and reserves or have your squad players fill in the position needed.

[@sadvenom7826]

Haven't you heard, barca aren't about using la masia, they let them go for no reason, they are destroying it.

[@Kevin-nt8fm]

You can just pull random academy players and put them in the A squad. You have to slowly integrate players into the squad.

[@sy_sohaib]

We let Abel Ruiz and Carles Perez go.. We plan ahead.. too far ahead

[@joshdolan9146]

@@Kevin-nt8fm you dont HAVE to, if they played a youth player on the wing next few games hed probably do well.

[@nigl2807]

Exactly. How is this any different to other clubs?. What use is there Barcelona B team then?. Cant imagine ANY team letting ANY of their go for Barca mid season. Anyone know IF there is an actual written rule which says this?

[@steveh4290]

For once I totally agree with Burley. It's an utter farce. Barca should have made signings to cover this situation when the window was open.

[@adityaswamy9647]

They should've but a rule exists as such that more than 5 months if a player is injured Barca are allowed to sign a player who can only play domestic comps

[@LebanonsCanadian]

if the rule is there then theres no problem with using it.

[@josea.martinez2234]

They don't have money that's the problem. When they went for Rodrygo they basically went for him without any money.

[@lewissantos9957]

THEY DIDN'T GET ANYONE NEW???

[@keshavthakur6710]

Right

[@Afterthoughtbtw]

The transfer window has literally just closed and they've suffered a single injury since then. That's just bad running of the club, and they should be punished for it.

[@hbk4life]

you're totally right, mate. what was the barca board thinking during the transfer period??

[@LetsRaZe]

Yh, they knew how long suarez was out. And they knew Dembele would've been out for at least another month. They loan out Perez and Alena, bring no one in and now they just get a privilege because they didn't do a decent job planning in the transfer window. They should play reserve and youngsters. The only thing i would give them are free players. That's all. And I'm a Barca fan btw, but this board and their decisions are ridiculous.

[@ImGravityEU]

This is dumb, not only is this a fixed rule but the surrounding scenario dictates that to sign an emergency player you have to unregister someone for the rest of the season and this player needs to be injured for the rest of the season; unregistering dembele for the rest of the season means if he made a miraculous recovery before the end of the season he wouldnt be allowed to play

[@hbk4life]

@@ImGravityEU well we now know for sure that that's not gonna happen, dembele will be out for 6 months, he will miss euro 2020 as well.

[@ImGravityEU]

@@hbk4life yes but they still must unregister that player from that seasons league squad as in casea like suarez footballers frequently return to full fitness before the average person would

[@complexlogic8634]

why don't they just play Ter Stegen on the wing and Umtiti in goal

[@ty-1063]

Valverde is not the coach now bruh

[@football4ever17]

Or Umtiti as a striker cuz that guy loves diving better than anyone in the world. He’ll get Barca/ Messi plenty of penalties

[@NitcheTV]

todibo as well

[@harrykane_]

@@football4ever17 oh no no, freekicks are better for messi

[@amitbora1703]

de jong is playing striker now

[@samuelgizaw7899]

"TORCHES" eh, thats a new one I think espn running out of verbs😂

[@joelunchbucket0]

lol, they should just let them swear and bleep it out

[@Liam-jy7yi]

To be fair "Torches" sounds kinda cool, like... I torched my girlfriend....wait n-

[@mrnotdoneyet6909]

🧯

[@univ8571]

Catherine Monroe Official I was the one who torched you. The meaning: I stuck my torch up in you.

[@univ8571]

Catherine Monroe Official You sure?

[@HAAsSportsTV]

I completely agree with Craig never in my life have I heard of this rule this isn’t a fair rule.

[@austinashogbon8175]

How is it not a fair rule if anyone in the league can do it when it applies to them? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@tevincoley7970]

Crappy rule though

[@rubensframbuesa]

There is no such a rule. The rule calls specifically for goalkeepers. What Farselona is doing is asking for an exception with no base for their argument. This is plain corruption. Just another one from these cheaters.

[@football-mp2is]

mypearltube cry more

[@rubensframbuesa]

@@football-mp2is 8=D::...... like that or more? You tell me

[@evildale632]

Real Madrid in the 2014/15 after the 24 match winning streak, they had an injury crisis in the midfield, they had to use youngsters, why can't Barca do the same?

[@tevincoley7970]

Lol u know they have ro make a way for barca dam i hate them

[@otenus]

Cause Barca are cheating dogs

[@ngolongolo6615]

Lol were already using youngsters and we're out of them

[@davidgonzalez8788]

Otenus Madridog talking about cheating stfu

[@santanamendes291]

Because they change rules for Farça

[@pepehimovic3135]

"the Royal Spanish Football Federation" sounds so elitist

[@username20131]

coming from zlatan lol

[@amirkhalid5449]

You can't just piggyback on the King's prestige. The King of Spain at the time of RFEF's foundation in 1913, when the sport was just getting started in most of Europe, was a keen promoter of football. He granted them a royal charter, just as he did with a number of clubs -- Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, and so on. That's why they get to call themselves Royal now.

[@iryaniedit2317]

When Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone he already had three missed calls from Zlatan!

[@C.is.for.Classified]

Why would Zlatan be triggered by the word royal? You invented it.

[@amirkhalid5449]

@@C.is.for.Classified I never said Zlatan was triggered by the word "royal".

[@benconlon875]

ever since neymar left the barca board have really been exposed for how clueless they actually are

[@mikkosalmela842]

It was like that before Neymar too

[@fallencolossi]

@@mikkosalmela842 well, after Neymar left they spent 350+m on 3 players. Really. After Neymar left, they certainly look deluded and got no clues whatsoever at what they were/are currently doing.

[@benconlon875]

i just mean that the neymar transfer clearly caught them with their trousers down and they’ve just been scrambling for an easy fix ever since and wasted hundreds of millions in the process

[@davidlukic6988]

For me it started going downhill with letting Dani Alves's contract expire when he was still the best in his position in the world at the time and went on to have 2 more great seasons elsewhere and even worse, not getting a replacement, at all and playing central midfielders and an average right midfielder (Aleix Vidal) in that position. I mean.. Man United brought a 36 year old Ibra to be their main goal threat. It would be equivalent to Real Madrid releasing Marcelo now, or maybe Modrić just because they are not in their prime despite the fact that players at their level in the same position are nonexistent in the market. Buying Dembele for so much money after one season of good football. PSG LOANED MBAPPE! With an option to buy. The guy id phenomenal but he was a teen, nobody knows potential issues with this guy... Smh , clueless, clueless board.

[@saphalbaral2117]

I don’t think people understand this rule. It’s not like someone gets an injury and a club can sign a player. The deal here is we have two players out for the rest of the season: Suarez and Dembele. I believe the rule applies when players are injured for over a certain amount of months or the end of the season. It is a strange rule but you can’t blame Barcelona for this.

[@aarya47]

Is the rule stupid ? *MAYBE* Is it Barcelonas fault to use this rule to their advantage? *ABSOLUTELY NOT*

[@janniknielsen9292]

What do you mean by maybe? It is a completely idiotic rule.

[@otenus]

Yes it is their fault. They could just ignore it and use youngsters like Madrid did in 14-15 season, but noooo. ”We need help! Donate us a player!” Pathetic.

[@johannespitkamaki1369]

They just made up this rule for barca bet there wasnt this rule before

[@tkay25]

@@johannespitkamaki1369 are you dumb real exploited it in 2009..when CR7 first came and got injured stop hating and talking trash

[@tkay25]

@@janniknielsen9292 maybe if ur team was in the same situation you know you wouldn't be singing the same tune

[@-jol2don-793]

If they sign a player like angel from getafe are getafe then allowed to put a request in to make a transfer. Would be interesting to see if both cases got treated equally.

[@Notbuyingitman]

Getafe was the last club to use this rule, to sign a player who was without a team, so...there you go

[@DaggerofTime]

Diogenes Costa Curras you can sign free agents at all time

[@Notbuyingitman]

@@DaggerofTime True, but Getafe had to use the same rule to free up the licence for that player

[@nunochaquice9928]

​@@Notbuyingitmanit's not the same if one is registered to a club and another is a free agent!

[@Notbuyingitman]

@@nunochaquice9928 Either for a free agent or a registered player, the RFEF has to approve it, because they have to pull the licence of the player who will be out. In the case of Barcelona, Dembele, back when it was Getafe, Lacen. It may not be the same for you, but it is for the RFEF and its article 142.3.

[@cyprianmugambwa1509]

What is up with this federation? I love Barcelona but they have the worst planning...facts. They had a whole month!!

[@brysonsabun4657]

If you love the pumpkin just love even it's flowers. We all know this is the fault of the board and not players, if that's the fact how do you get angry?? Do you want to see Barcelona been beaten by 5-0 so that you can be happy?? That emergency signing will help us resting some energy needed in CL.

[@InstiGator805]

@@brysonsabun4657 yeah they should have thought about it when the transfer window was open.

[@Kiddingyoumust]

How were they to know they would have all these injuries? Crystal ball? And IF there's a rule stating they can get a player after the transfer window how is that bad planning?

[@InstiGator805]

@@Kiddingyoumust clearly we need a deeper squad, that's how you prepare for injuries. If the rule is in place its ok, but the board needs to start thinking ahead & do better scouting. Also Suarez is old & Dembele injury prone, no crystal ball needed to see that one coming.

[@Kiddingyoumust]

​@@InstiGator805 Barca has 5 forwards (or so I think) which is the same amount ManC has. 5. So its not an insanely low number of players to have for those positions. So yes they could have got more players, but players cost money and I assume they do not want to spend because they will need all the money they can get to get Neymar this summer.

[@jchorta4504]

It seems very strange for me, that a team like Barcelona, that is proud of their academy, to not have enough quality young players (apart from Ansu) that can come to the first team to substitute temporarily for injured players. To allow Barça to buy a player outside the transfer window (even if only from other La Liga teams), seems to me like an unfair advantage (both by getting stronger themselves and by weakening adversaries). Injuries during a season are risks that the clubs and mangares have to deal with everywhere, its part of the game.

[@arilukskills2821]

JC Horta what happened to Puig? Why isnt he playing?

[@ilyaklimoshenko1401]

Arilukskills we don’t know he did good first two games then did bad one game. Then he got sick and now on the bench. Probably will be a sub next game

[@arilukskills2821]

The best of the west i hope he does

[@robertarmstrong6015]

I'm a big Barca fan but I agree with u and Craig. Its not fair and the rule should be scrapped if it exists.

[@marleyans6454]

Everything change after rosell took over the club, la masia is no longer the best academy. They change their philosophy from relying on la masia product to a proven star. Tbh this is still a good policy but when bartomeu took over he make it worse, he spend more than 350 million for 3 players (2 of them flop) No other club in the world would do that, not RM/PSG/MC

[@SoulFlyShogun]

In Barca's case, Dembele suffered his hamstring tear on February 3, giving them until February 23 to alert the League. With Suarez in contention to return in April, his injury is not considered severe enough to warrant an emergency transfer. Dembele would instead be that player and, if 'unregistered', the French forward would not be able to feature for the remainder of the season regardless of whether he makes a miraculous recovery. Once a team have decided to apply for an emergency deal, they must put their case to a medical commission, with a decision then made in the space of around three days. Clubs may only sign emergency players from LaLiga or Segunda - or players who are currently unattached.

[@slickus]

"If" there a rule C'mon boys do your homework :(

[@KemzA658]

If it's not a written rule it shouldn't be allowed. They had an entire month to bring someone in and didn't.

[@gustavelauffer3568]

It’s a written rule.

[@KemzA658]

@@gustavelauffer3568 They haven't confirmed that is it.

[@edosupra14]

Stevie just likes to be on the opposite side of the argument no matter what it is. He thinks because he argues with his wife at home that he can bring it to work

[@eddiecastaneda8918]

edosupra14 ? The rule is there. Nothing to “argue” about.

[@aShszZz2Z]

Eddie Castaneda but is it tho? Or are Barca just begging the Spanish federation to make it a rule? If you can show me the rule then that’s fine but seems like Barca are having a cry but there is no actual rule

[@Jared7628]

@@eddiecastaneda8918 I dont think its a rule buddy. I like Barca but honestly its just bin dipping if the most they can spend is 20M it wont make a difference

[@eddiecastaneda8918]

Jared Ganesan that’s right, you don’t “think” it is, but you don’t KNOW it isn’t, correct? Go look it up and then come back with more certainty.

[@tinotendaganje358]

Don't blame dembele for Saurez injury

[@Curitive]

tinotenda ganje poor dembele. I hope he returns and plays a full season at least. He’s a great winger. One of the best to watch.

[@Chris-oz9qx]

Nyx The Fool Dembele is a joke, hardly ever fit, turns up late for training often, he’s been far less value for money than Coutinho

[@MAC0071234]

Meanwhile Manchester City were playing with "Fernandinho", "Eric Garcia" and "Angelino" as their back three without complaining. Players have to step up to new challenges for their team. That's the game.

[@jonpool9030]

If it was a rule then why does Barcelona have to go to the federation and ask for permission?

[@aShszZz2Z]

Jon Pool cause it’s not really a rule. It’s something they want to make a rule for their own benefit

[@jonpool9030]

@@aShszZz2Z agreed

[@lancevance1400]

The absolute gaul. A club that's dominated the Spanish league for the last decade is crying about not having a good transfer window.

[@Notbuyingitman]

You have missed the point more than Burley, and that's quite an achievement.

[@theEchannel_official]

Not gonna lie, We all thought Dembele would honesty return, that's why we weren't going all out for an attacker...to avoid another Boateng

[@eddiecastaneda8918]

Crying? Simply taking advantage of a rule that exists. Sounds like you’re salty over their success ;)

[@TROLGUY999]

Nobody crying its legit a rule kiddo

[@michaelmueller7168]

I agree. What about squad depth, academy kids, ect... Barca are basically saying that none of those guys can play. I am a Liverpool fan, so I don't care what happens in Spain. I wonder if it was a team that was in the relegation zone would they even get a hearing? For the integrity of the sport and the league this should be rejected out of hand. If this is granted it makes a farce out of Spanish football.

[@greyFCB]

the spainish federation located in.....madrid.

[@lekale88]

Where the vice president is the ex barcelona's president Joan Gaspart

[@TopeA8]

Where should it be located? Madrid is the capital of Spain? It should be in Brussels? Zurich? The Hague?

[@realtalkwithphil]

That rule is stupid. Why have transfer window in the first place? I am a Barcelona fan and it is obvious that this current Board is clueless, unproductive and unprofessional. You have reserves itching to play in the first team. Promote them and get the best out of them. Injuries are part of occupational hazards in football. Deal with it!

[@joshdolan9146]

Lol they have so alot of forwards and a good academy idk y they'are complaining

[@realtalkwithphil]

@@joshdolan9146 I don't know bro. It's ridiculous.

[@joshdolan9146]

@@realtalkwithphil and they also could revall coutinho from his loan coudnt they? They should just play fati or some other youth player on the wing, they'd do well

[@realtalkwithphil]

@@joshdolan9146 I believe so too

[@-PlayMaker-]

Look, it's Barca's own fault that is a fact. Although, like Stevie said, if there's a rule that allows us to do this we would be absolutely insane to not take advantage. Any other team would do the same.

[@UnCubanoCuler]

Actually the rule is Only to be used if after the January transfer window a player gets injured and is out for 5 or more months , So in the case of Dembele they can sign a player playing in Spain 🇪🇸, or a player without a contract ! And Yes it is a Spanish Federation Rule !

[@karimC35]

We need a new board ASAP. Complete overhaul

[@gustavelauffer3568]

Absolutely

[@wilfridox]

Kareem C just accept you’re the new United without messi😏😹

[@karimC35]

wilfrido gervacio lmao we have way more talent than United. No one fromUnited starts at barça

[@samkelogasela6989]

i will say it everytime i get a chance , Malcom sale was a very huge mistake.

[@calebashes4395]

Barca just has to prove that a player is injured for 5 months+ and then they are granted the chance to sign a LaLiga player. The player won’t be able to play in the Champions League because the registration has concluded.

[@RRRN24]

Plus they only get to loan out the player for the rest of the season. After that the player returns to their respective club

[@nigl2807]

@@RRRN24 Cant imagine any team willing to do that.

[@RRRN24]

Depending on the price it may benefit especially since Barca are pretty thin up front

[@rabikafle8]

Never have I ever thought that Barca would be in this kind of situation

[@alboy10madrid22]

Rabi Kafle why not ? Lmao they’ve been like that

[@lfc4life496]

Dembele big flop

[@kingsleykekeli1587]

We hope next season he shines

[@Neopremium]

Kingsley Kekeli how he’ll end up injured again ...

[@gameintheglitch1860]

Maybe he’s better elsewhere unfortunately

[@lfc4life496]

@@gameintheglitch1860 yea. But I sure don't want him at LFC

[@lfc4life496]

@Superman Prime 1 million good bcuz he's overhyped and overrated. So Keep quiet. Barca wasted money on Names just like Madrid,Munich and Juventus and where have it put them of late. Hahahaha

[@rishabhdinho]

Can't believe I'm saying this but Stevie nicol is right, if there's a rule Madrid would have exploited it as well. What's funny is that Craig burley talking like he was one of the guys who wrote the laws of Spanish football, that guy gets paid just to spew nonsense

[@otenus]

But they didnt? Madrid did not exploit this rule in the 14-15 season, they used youngsters.

[@galactico7_]

Craig nailed it with the City Liverpool example 😜🔥

[@dmorw9601]

When I come here to watch these videos, it is my hope that I am exposed to an informed and intelligent perspective becoming of the position of sports analyst. It is extremely disheartening to watch a football analyst get upset about a rule in Spain while admitting that he is completely unaware of its existence. Even going to the extent of questioning whether it is a written rule. Please gentlemen, do some research so that you can contribute sound reasoning in a debate or discussion. You are supposed to be sitting at that table because you know a bit more and can provide a perspective that may not be so readily obvious to the rest of us. Craig Burley, I am referring to you in particular.

[@mrmentalhealthawareness5219]

You speak like a Barcelona fan who knows nothing and is lead by emotions You are not serious at all the way you sound You appear to know nothing yourself If a big club like Barcelona can not focus on strengthening squad depth and just allows players to leave the club and only think about securing Messi then this is what happens This is a cheat to the other clubs They have a B team who can supply good replacement and not to buy a new player all together

[@sogoadeleke1173]

@@mrmentalhealthawareness5219 Dude be objective in your response, and yes I'm a Barcelona fan but I can also be objective. What he said is perfectly correct, and ironically you sound like someone led by emotions. They are ESPN Analyst (which is a job) and should know about these rules and do their homework before coming on the show. How is it a cheat on the other clubs if everyone is entitled to the rule? How is it a cheat if this rule has been in existence before Barca's injury woes?.....If you want to troll that's fine though

[@mrmentalhealthawareness5219]

Sogo Adeleke My Nigerian dude I am objective in my response Right now what proof does Barcelona have that they do not have a striker when they have a ton of them in their B team which they claim is the best academy in the world which obviously is nothing near anything good They are trying to play wise but clearly they are looking more stupid Because there’s no proof that they don’t have strikers If it were a goal keeper issues that would have been understandable

[@dominickadiaz77]

Isn’t there a January transfer window?

[@kermitdafrog8190]

.........aaaand?????

[@rickyvaldez8001]

Its February so....

[@kevinmerino7432]

The RFEF has a rule where if a player is out injured for 5 months or more then a team can go get someone but they have to play in la liga or be a free agent and they’re only allowed to play in Spanish competitions

[@5thdawg917]

Braceletlona can do whatever they like because UEFA and Fifa is owner by Qatar football associations

[@atlj6924]

5thDawg Barça isn’t with Qatar....

[@pascualfernandezripoll6202]

I am from Spain and this rule has been here for a long time, and it has been used many times. If you have a season ending injury or over four months injury, you are allowed to sign a free agent or someone playing in Spain, by using the federative lisence of the injured player.

[@ciarangreaney1265]

That's a crazy rule, Can they play in European competitions as well?

[@pascualfernandezripoll6202]

@@ciarangreaney1265 they could have done that only if they were to sign someone from a team playing european competitions but i think that we are already past the deadline

[@jacquesm1553]

You guys are professionals, football "experts", you guys should go do the research and see if the rule is really there.

[@seanmullin1692]

Imagine Man City could of done this just for any club who gets loads of money like Barcelona and city it’s just seems absolutely wrong.

[@andrewwright4195]

@Dami Fash so use the academy simple

[@danielf8184]

@Dami Fash dont worry they only need 11 starters and 3 subs lol the rest can be academy

[@andrewwright4195]

@Dami Fash it cheating simple as

[@tevincoley7970]

@Kacper Ewertowski dont barca have a Academy barca is so stupid they sold perez knowing there short handed up front lol just a stupid rule

[@tevincoley7970]

@Kacper Ewertowski barca really has gone from youths coming through to spending millions on players

[@patata5689]

I totally agree with Steve, as unfair as it may seem, Barcelona didn't create the La Liga transfer rule so ain't nothing wrong if they exploit it.

[@SamG91]

If you have a player out for 5+ months there is a rule that says you can do it

[@akhilbandi9463]

The Barca board think they're entitled to do whatever they want just because they're rich. It'll be a huge shame on the entire sport if they're request comes through. Teams like Arsenal suffer 6+ Month injuries to players multiple times a season. You don't find them cooking up Nonsense like this

[@tiki-takafc]

Manchester United could use this rule to get Grealish 😂

[@calummacdougall8400]

I agree with Craig put faith in the youths/reserves.

[@haula251]

Calum MacDougall bro they sold Perez and Abel Ruiz like forwards from youth team

[@JAMshortsDAILY]

If your squad is weak due to injury there should be no option to buy if the window is close...rubish...

[@curtischarles5299]

i dont understand if this is the freaking rule then WHATS THE FREAKING PROBLEM. how could it be barcelona's fault that their players just decided to get injured for the rest of the season? they planned that they would? they planned for suarez to go to surgery and planned for dembele to go to surgery? they had enough players on top, suarez ,messi, dembele, griezmann, fati and perez...OF COURSE THAT'S TO MANY forwards . they decided to loan out players because they wont get playing time and then this happened , its just bad luck that no one can prepare for...these analyst makes me wonder if they have any sort of common sense in their heads

[@FEDEXLuchs]

Point being this isnt Barca going to La liga saying hey can we have a transfer window extension.. its Barca going.. hey this rule exists can we do this? theres nothign wrong with what barca is doing.. the league is at fault for having a dumb rule when most if not all teams have a acedemy team that they should be allowed to dip into should this happen

[@rumanmaharjan9308]

If rule is made then we have to apply that

[@TheHellogoo]

Sign back Ronaldinho and let him play as striker. As stupid as this sounds, kinda better than all Barca's decisions so far.

[@kayodeahmed9412]

FYI pundits, the rule applies to teams in laliga and is not exclusive to Barcelona or Real Madrid. It is made for extreme situations like which Barcelona finds itself. Whether the board could have planned better or not, injuries can't be prevented and when it does happen, there should be a necessary replacement to even things out, and it applies to any team in laliga! Let's wish Dembele speedy recovery that's all that matters now.

[@zakiyare6174]

He went to Barca just to play video games and make $$

[@kermitdafrog8190]

He?

[@an1mew0rld70]

KermitDaFrog Nicht-Nicht! He’s talking about dembele

[@5thdawg917]

No he didn't. He went there to feed his African 3rd world country people.

[@kermitdafrog8190]

@@an1mew0rld70 thanks dude

[@anish104]

The host, the panelist nor anyone in espn fc knows the rules and they are discussing amongst themselves about the rules. Atleast take the effort to go through the rulebook

[@wdred]

The Rule is there, but it shouldn't be. If someone is injured for over 5 months then a player can be signed to replace them. Stupid law

[@Tchafsir]

This is why they're called Uefalona

[@tekemba1990]

Imagine being one of those teams fighting from relegation or top four and boom! Here come Barca taking your best hopes. Jokers

[@etzjunior_]

Fighting for relegation when the transfer window was open just a month ago. Lol

[@lordzabuza5640]

They don't have to sell

[@jr3624]

Barcelona is 1-2 terrible transfer windows away from being the new Manchester United lol

[@amermo7103]

Yea and your a Tottenham fan 4-2 babyyyyyyyy

[@jr3624]

@@amermo7103 Lol Spurs will make it further than Barcelona at the UCL AGAIN.

[@emmanuelalalade9271]

Bugs Bunny doesn’t matter that you beat them in the group stage when they reached the final and you didn’t lmao

[@gustavelauffer3568]

Jr That’s why real Barça fans want Bartomeu, our president, out of the club.

[@amermo7103]

Jr put it on something I will come back regardless of if we do or not and we will see that you will get knocked out first round lol don’t start trying to think your a big club now cause in a couple weeks you will get knocked out

[@punintended4754]

And they say " Messi slamming board online was not, okay" , now you see why. He showed all of us that how the board is very remiss.

[@seandoyle454]

If there is such a rule, how come it's only cropped up as an issue now? Why have we never heard of it before?

[@username20131]

I remember craig sleeping through these a month ago, glad he's made a comeback.

[@godfredansong8422]

Craig is smoking some good weed😂😂

[@dublinsfaircity]

There is no good weed. It is all disgusting that turns your brain to mush.

[@hanhquan218]

the most ridiculous rule ever, Craige is right they should never been allowed to sign any outfield players outside of transfer window

[@NkSwiss]

I love how people think getting a player in Jan is a walk in the park

[@a.k.aemperor2365]

Dembele needs to work on himself I think he needs to workout more

[@joshdolan9146]

Needs to improve finishing and passing.

[@Liam-jy7yi]

He needs an happy meal. Seriously this dude dosen't have Enough protean..

[@sikanderali4229]

He is finished

[@mexicanfifaking1995]

If I was a team that Barca was trying to get a player from , I would make them pay way above what they are worth

[@RRRN24]

Does Craig not know the actual rule...Barca only get 20 days to find a player in the first place and only get to use the player in La Liga. After the end of the season the player returns to the original club

[@masterj6926]

The rule for bringing in players outside of the transfer window is for extreme circumstances eg plane crash, train crash, bus accident, food poisoning viruses breakout with players medically diagnosed which leads to them not being able to play. Man United in 1958 after air crash borrowed players from Bolton and other clubs to play in their FA Cup Final... Man United lost that time. The Brazilian team Chapecoense borrowed players after air crash 2016. The Barcelona team have injuries and reoccurring ones they knew of YEARS ago... They know Dembele is injury prone, they knew Messi was getting fed up, they knew Pique put in a request for a walking stick, they knew Iniesta and Xavi were leaving YEARS ago... So why didn't they didnt replace them is beyond me. I don't feel sorry for one of the biggest clubs in the world if they are short on players.

[@jonathanwilson9902]

Steve actually defending this rubbish, madrid was in this situation before steve and nothing like this happened

[@etzjunior_]

This isn't unfair. The transfer window was open just last month(everyone should buy anyone they need) , so no team should find it unfair that Barcelona suffered injuries and they are allowed to make an emergency signing just 1 month later

[@xrypro4080]

when? When did Madrid has only 14 fit players (A team) and still got 5 months to go.

[@adebolaidowu718]

Even though I'm a Barcelona fan. It doesn't make sense to sign a player after a transfer window. Since la liga accepted it, then they can take advantage of that

[@tkay25]

I think they can only buy a player from la liga

[@adebolaidowu718]

@@tkay25 exactly but the player can't play in Champions league

[@tkay25]

@@adebolaidowu718 ye but the league is good 2'..'is be happy if barca even make semis bro

[@adebolaidowu718]

@@tkay25 lmao we have to wait and see

[@raghavtaneja13]

Agree with Craig. This is bs man, deal with it instead of crying about injuries. Everyone has a season when no one's fit, doesn't mean you gonna buy when transfer window is closed. Play kids u23s reserves or whatever.

[@aunglwin2786]

Don't let Craig Burley to predict La Liga he was wrong about Barcelona and Real Madrid games in this weekend. That was totally opposite results.

[@dazzaMusic]

They literally have a Barcelona B side why do they need to request a signing?

[@NavySealsTeamX]

It shouldnt be there, this is so unfair for the rest of the teams in La Liga!!

[@brian8066]

I think a rule that allows clubs to bring in any player regardless of position after the transfer reason has closed should not be allowed

[@N8Holder]

How can you have a big show like this on ESPN and the pundits don't know if there's a rule or not?!! What a joke

[@joshdolan9146]

They are allowed to recall coutinho from his loan cant they?

[@ryankos6500]

Think it became permanent move

[@joshdolan9146]

@@ryankos6500 really? I thought the option to buy was summer? Or maybe theres a clause which says they canr recall him from loan

[@djmagzbtd]

Josh Dolan ur correct. It has not been made permanent. Dont know about recalling outside the window though.

[@adityaswamy9647]

@@djmagzbtd I think that also has to happen in the transfer window and Barca has to pay a lot of money for that

[@austinashogbon8175]

An option to buy loan cannot be Terminated

[@indragupta4521]

This club sinks when messi gone

[@joshdolan9146]

Going to mancity 👀

[@haula251]

Indra Gupta They’re already sinking Messi’s Golden last 4-5 years

[@davidmattackal730]

How is this fair?! Atletico Madrid are having a much bigger injury crisis but you don't see them begging to sign extra players outside of the window?!!

[@francjhernandez15]

All I hear is transfer rumors but yet they have no money.

[@Eyeyorot]

Messi was right to hit out on these boards members. But the rule is there to use no matter which club, so why these fools are drawing the bow?

[@rubensframbuesa]

There is no such a rule. The rule calls specifically for goalkeepers. What Farselona is doing is asking for an exception with no base for their argument. This is plain corruption. Just another one from these cheaters

[@Eyeyorot]

@@rubensframbuesa The Goalkeeper exception is base in EPL. Base on The LaLiga rules or Royal Spanish Football Federation. In order to bring in a new player while the transfer window is closed, teams are required to 'unregister' one of their injured players. That player must be ruled out for a minimum of five months, while the team would need to inform LaLiga of the serious injury in question no more than 20 days after its occurrence. But in Barça case, Dembele as been ruled out for 6 months a couple of days ago. Clubs may only sign emergency players from LaLiga or Segunda or players who are currently unattached. This rule and fact is pure luck, not "corruption". For which they can take advantage of. So, go away with your hating and start doing some facts researching. lol

[@acmills347]

France have the Joker window for 1 player from another domestic team outside a transfer window, but i have never known La Liga have one. Unless the rules have changed, it will be a backhander job as per 🙄

[@1471perry]

I thought the rule was if u have no player in a specialist position ie goalkeeper then u can use emergency signing but Barcelona have a front 3 also u can play 1 up front so it shouldn't be given

[@messierbest6850]

Craig doesnt get the point... If you get a season ending injury there is a rule in spain that allows you to replace that player

[@hamzaoulmouden3411]

"What if Real Madrid was in this position ..." The thing is : This is a situation that is a complete result of the board's incompetence and Real Madrid have Florentino Perez. This mess would never happen under his watch. During the last window, they knew that Suarez is out for the rest of the season and they only have Messi, Griezmann, Fati and Dembele (who hasn't played in months because he's injury prone) to cover for all 3 attacking spots and they decided it's gonna be alright. That's some Man Utd board type of incompetence right there.

[@Junitaco]

I thought this video was bad enough, but then I saw the comments section. Guys...La Liga allows for a club to buy a player if they don't have someone to play in that position due to injury. You would think the "professionals" opining on the matter would inform themselves before going out there bitching about a club doing what is allowed. This video should be titled "Burley didn't do his homework before giving ignorant opinions "

[@jameshumphreys9715]

They should be bringing someone through the academy, reserves, b team, if they are deperate; would the Spanish federation be so generous in doing the same to a smaller club, I doubt it.

[@nahum9729]

So what do you have academy players for decoration?

[@ksteege]

Here’s a question if it was a team like say Malaga you think they would let them do it?

[@mojitovermastappen]

Forget Malaga even if it was Real they wouldn't allow ...

[@chiggsytube]

Maybe. No other Catalan team.

[@mojitovermastappen]

New rules being made and changed everyday just to suit Barca's needs

[@josephjones9693]

I question Stevie Nicol more and more, lol

[@mohakjain7336]

He is just an idiot..... Look at his points.... He just cares about Liverpool and that's why he also criticizes real Madrid everytime....

[@mapleknot3]

Abidal! What are you doing???

[@lewiscatlin1230]

At least as a Barca fan I can’t blame him If we go out the Champions league now, he really bottled that semi final first leg last year

[@husseinjmakshofi2697]

What is the point of having a transfer window? Harkens to MLB’s waiver wire.

[@aubreezypuranda8545]

List of Bayern injuries include Sule out for the entire season, Martinez,Hernandez.. (Coman & gnabry) who are both attacking players with longterm injuries going back before the winter break... In addition to Perisic who broke his ankle in training... Which leaves bayern with no natural wingers... Hence forth making due with attacking midfielders Coutinho and Muller. That's a total of 6first team players.

[@MM1997.]

I bet they will sign a new Kevin boating 😅

[@theubiquitouspotato]

We had that exact scenario last year. No defenders played against wolves with a 16 year old and fabinho at cb. Can't believe they are allowed to do that, but as stevie says you can't blame them far taking advantage. I'll proper fume if they are allowed to in ucl though.

[@maritheresereyes]

Other teams should protest if Barca are allowed to make a transfer outside an offical transfer window. Terribly unfair.

[@arjungiridhar638]

How can barca expect injuries?

[@SamuelSaveli]

How can anyone? That doesnt mean you should have free signings whenever you want, that s dumb

[@AliMohamed-yq4wn]

Vegito Messi10 they sold 2 forwards in January.

[@arjungiridhar638]

@@AliMohamed-yq4wn *1* forward and that was because he was not a part of setien's plans

[@arjungiridhar638]

@@SamuelSaveli not whenever dimwit, there is a rule in la liga for this

[@carlosnyc9896]

I’m with Burley with this one

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

How is this the first I'm hearing of this rule in all my years as a football fan, when ive been an Arsenal supporter? Arsenal has more injuries than a hospital. Diaby, Van Persie, Walcott, Wilshire, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the list goes on. BULLOCKS.

[@husseinjmakshofi2697]

MADGUNS FOREVER™ Same same!

[@husseinjmakshofi2697]

MADGUNS FOREVER™ Remember Eduardo? Absolutely devastating.

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

@@husseinjmakshofi2697 Yes I do. He had soooo much promise, but he may have been a bit slight for the Prem. The breaking of the leg however.... Ramsey came back from being "Shawcrossed" but Eduardo never really got the chance.

[@Sidster2588]

Spain has an extended restricted transfer window meaning spanish teams can sign free agents and players playing for another team in la liga outside the transfer winder

Im a Barça fan and I totally agree with Burley. Whoever was in charge of the transfer window fucked up big time. Loaning Todibo, Perez, and Aleña were all big mistakes. Not bringing in anybody to replace them was an even bigger mistake.