Suarez signing another blow to Barcelona's self-styled 'Mes que un Club' mantra

FC Barcelona

COMMENT: A club that still have the threat of a transfer ban hanging over them are shamelessly poised to acquire a player currently suspended until the end of October

By Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

More than a club? For years, Barcelona prided themselves on being different to the rest: their playing philosophy changed the course of modern football and wowed the world; their values were admired far and wide.

The last year, however, has taken much of the shine off the Catalan club's squeaky-clean image. After two separate transfer-related scandals, their halo had been slipping anyway; with the club now having confirmed a deal to sign the suspended Luis Suarez, it has fallen to the floor and smashed into pieces.

Barca's style of play is still lauded, but Tiki-Taka is no longer the force it once was in European football and the Blaugrana have been in gradual decline on the pitch since the final year of Pep Guardiola's tenure, in 2011-12.

Off it, Guardiola was replaced by assistant and friend Tito Vilanova, whose battle against cancer captured the hearts of many football fans across the world. The Barca boss, along with defender Eric Abidal, represented a symbol of hope as he returned from illness to resume work for the Catalans before eventually stepping down due to a relapse last summer.

Abidal also returned after a liver transplant and was publically promised a new contract when he played again. That deal never materialised, however, and the France defender departed under a cloud, leaving many to question Barca's much-mentioned values.