Andoni Zubizarreta passed the buck regarding Barcelona’s transfer ban onto President Josep Maria Bartomeu after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.
The sporting director’s future with La Blaugrana is believed to be hanging in the balance following the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to uphold the club’s FIFA-imposed embargo, and he appeared consigned to his fate after the match in San Sebastian.
“As sporting director, I accept all my responsibilities, Mr. Bartomeu knows the situation better than anyone as he was the sporting vice-president at the time,” he stated.
“My office is always available if it means making Barca stronger. I assume responsibility, but it’s a hard, tough sanction. We must overcome it together together, even if the disproportion is so great.
“I’ve been doing this since I was 16. In football you’re always working with the future in mind, knowing that numerous things depend on a goal in injury time or an own goal.
“You must remain calm, responsible and deal with things as normal. We have an excellent team and an excellent Coach.
“What we proposed in the summer was a profound restructuring. We bought many players, thinking we needed a bigger squad.
“We counted on that, along with the players loaned out and youngsters who are our references [for the future].
“[Andre Onana] is able to negotiate with other clubs. He didn’t respond to our contract offer, and the last thing we knew was the statement on Ajax’s website.
“It seems that Ajax’s attitude is disrespectful and [Onana] could have waited until June, but everyone is responsible for their own actions.”
