breaching international regulations in signing up

MADRID, Spain -- FIFAs decision to slap Barcelona with a transfer ban is a clear message to Europes top clubs to follow its regulations when signing international youth players. The governing body of world football banned the Spanish champions from any activity in the next two transfer windows for breaching international regulations in signing up to 10 youth players. Specialist Spanish sports lawyers contacted by The Associated Press on Friday said it was a complicated case in which Barcelonas chances of prevailing on appeal were slim, although the message may already have been sent. "This is a very difficult case and its going to be very complicated for Barcelona to win it," Jose Lasa Azpeitia of Laffer Abogados said. "FIFA is showing its not afraid to go after you regardless of how big an institution you are." Barcelona labelled itself a "victim of a grave injustice" and has staunchly proclaimed it will defend its La Masia youth system, which has produced such players as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. Rodrigo Arias Grillo of Sportia Law called the ban a "landmark case" in dealing with international regulations over youth player movement. "The situation is very serious. Its a knock on the door for clubs that have sports models-infrastructures that deal with youth. The message is that no one is beyond their regulations," Arias Grillo told the AP. "It touches on the grassroots of high profile clubs, which is very interesting. The impact of this will be seen in the way elite teams manage their grassroots development and associations with other countries." The two lawyers agree that Barcelonas hopes of reversing the ban are slim, although Lasa Azpeitia pointed to a case involving French club Bordeaux that could provide precedent. The Court for Arbitration of Sport sided with Bordeaux after FIFA denied the license of Argentine teenager Valentin Vada, who held an Italian passport but was never registered with the Italian federation when he moved from South America to France. It took two years for Vada to officially join Bordeaux, in January 2013. "To have general rules is not necessarily good -- every case can be evaluated by different circumstances," Arias said. "You can have a general system for regulating international transfers but each situation, on a case-by-case basis, has to be well examined." Barcelona has been marred by off-field problems since its signed Brazil striker Neymar last year. Neymars transfer led to president Sandro Rosells resignation, tax fraud charges against the club and a pay-off of more than 13.55 million euros ($18.6 million) to Spanish tax authorities. Barcelonas response to the charges -- which could hamper their planning for next season when it needs a new goalkeeper and defender -- makes sense, guilty or not. "Everyone is acting how they need to. They are defending La Masia, which is their model," Lasa Azpeitia said. "Barca is protecting the kids, educating them and not exploiting them. This is the model they are famous for." Custom Texas Rangers Jerseys . The Raptors have been outscored 88-66 in the opening quarter over a three-game span to begin the month of February. Their most recent loss, 109-101 in Sacramento on Wednesday, was eerily similar to Saturdays defeat at the hands of the Trail Blazers. Nolan Ryan Jersey . 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"The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position.Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Kesler tallied at the 58-second mark of overtime, just after a power play expired, giving Anaheim a 3-2 victory over San Jose at Honda Center. San Joses Brent Burns committed a high-sticking infraction in the final 67 seconds of regulation, and Antti Niemi made a lunging glove stop on Kesler with 23.8 on the clock to help get his team beyond regulation. Niemi was powerless to stop Keslers second chance, an overpowering slapshot from the left circle which rippled the net under the crossbar on the far side. He stopped me at the far post a few times. Third time is a charm, Kesler deadpanned. Rickard Rakell netted his first NHL regular-season goal and Cam Fowler also lit the lamp for the Ducks, who were coming off a 6-2 loss in Ottawa which concluded a five-game road trip. Frederik Andersen came up with 30 saves for the win. Joe Pavelski and Melker Karlsson supplied offense for the Sharks, whose five- game win streak came to a halt. Niemi stopped 29 pucks in the loss. To win in this building is tough, Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. I think we have to take some satisfaction that we came from behind in the third. Rackells milestone occurred at the 7:20 mark of the second period, when he popped a lloose puck over Niemi from atop the crease.dddddddddddd The young Swede was only allowed near the rebound because Niemi mishandled a dump-in from the right corner by Emerson Etem which crept up his stick. It feels good. Christmas is saved, Rakell joked. Pavelskis power-play goal at two minutes even of the third period tied the game, before Karlssons first-ever goal came with 7:56 gone in the third, a harmless low drive from the right wing which somehow squeezed through Andersen. Fowler then moved up from his point position and scored on a nifty backhander in close off a Ryan Getzlaf dish for a 2-2 game with 4:16 to play. Game Notes Rakell had gone his first 46 NHL appearances spread out over the last three seasons without scoring, totaling 11 assists in the meantime ... Pavelski passed Owen Nolan for second all-time on the Sharks goal-scoring list with 207 ... Fowler participated in his 300th career game ... Both clubs are out of action until Saturday, as Anaheim heads to Arizona, while San Jose takes on Los Angeles ... Ducks defenseman Tim Jackman suffered an apparent facial injury in the second period when struck by the butt end of Sharks forward John Scotts stick and did not return. ' ' '