Listen to the full interview above via the Off The Ball Football Show podcast which also includes Dan McDonnell on the Irish contingent at Everton. 

The last few months have seen Barcelona's reputation take something of a battering.

From question marks over the Neymar deal to this week's one-year transfer ban, the club have had to fight their corner more often than they would have liked.

The punishment for breaching rules regarding the international transfer of players under the age of 18 is another blow for the club.

Barca are likely to appeal the ban imposed by FIFA and our European football expert and author of Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World Graham Hunter believes that the effect on the club's transfer plans should not be the main story.

"While I believe they are right about many of the things that [Barca] say about wishing to be exempt from the rules in terms of how they structure their youth development and they way in which they treat youngsters from outside Catalunya, if you break the rules, then you must either accept the punishment or argue your case and see if you can overturn it," said Graham who emphasized that the footballing and holistic education system at La Masia is exemplary.

He would like to see the FIFA rule rewritten and explained that Lionel Messi would not have received necessary medical treatment in his youth under the current rules.  

"In this instance, Barcelona will say that they can prove that this law will be denying kids who have a shot at earning €300,000 when they're 24, the chance at an education and pastoral care, their families taken care of and taken out of poverty."

Graham also said that players out on loan like Gerard Deulofeu will not be affected by the FIFA ban on transfers.