Fode Fofana's mother speaks to SPORT about FIFA's punishment

The sanction imposed on Barcelona by FIFA does not just affect the club. In fact, the consequences are much more serious for those the FIFA say they are trying to protect than they are for the Catalan club.

That’s true in the cases of Matias Lacava and Fode Fofana, two players who Barcelona have not been allowed to register this season. It’s also true for Patrice Sousia, Ben Lederman and Jang Gyeol-Hee, who because of FIFA’s ruling, Barça have been forced to let go of for now.

Uljana Fofana, the mother of Fode, has explained to SPORT in first person how the kids have been affected and how things have forced her and her family to consider a return to Holland.

You arrived two years ago, why did you decide to come to Barcelona?

Because we had the chance to. Fode had dreamed of playing for Barcelona since he was five. If a child from anywhere in the world has the opportunity to play for Barça, they can’t say no.

Did he live at La Masia?

No, at home with me.

So why did the sanction affect him?

I don’t know exactly how it works, but I know the problem comes from FIFA. What I know he’s under 16. He’s nearly 13 now.

Too much time to wait?

We didn’t have any other option. And it wouldn't be the best option for him, for his career. He wants to play.

Where will he play now?

I don’t know. He doesn't have a team at the moment because it has all happened so quickly. It’s all happened in two weeks and now he has to find a team.

How is Fode?

We are all in a state of shock, really disappointed. Every kid has their own dreams, which is normal, and my son had his. He was happy in Barcelona, he liked being here. For him it’s a big disappointment to return to Holland. It is for all the family. We have cried a lot, it’s really sad.

And you don’t understand what’s happened.

Of course I understand some things. But it’s something that has happened and I think it should not have. I have seen with my own eyes how [Barça] are with the kids — and they’re all really happy. They take care of the kids, they are in good hands at the club. That’s why I don’t understand why the kids, who have no blame in this, are being punished. Here they have a good education, good schools and, above all, a future. The kids are the future and if we don’t give them that chance, there will be no future. That is why I don’t understand what’s happened with the kids.

Do you think the sanction affects the kids more than the club?

I don’t think this way of working is the best. There should be different criteria to judge each case. They are punishing the kids and the families. It’s not just a fact they have to look for another club, but crushing their dreams. That is really tough mentally.

What have Barça said to you?

What can they say? They can only explain the reality. They can’t do anything.

So there’s no criticism of the club?

Of course not. I could never be angry with Barça, never ever. I love this club and I’m a huge fan. I am just a mother and neither can I say I am angry with FIFA, but I don’t understand why things are going like this. As a mother, I would say that if they have a problem with the club, OK, but to do things in a different way to not prejudice the kids. The kids can’t pay for something they have not done. I would like FIFA to understand that they can’t be so tough on the kids. I would tell them that Barça take good care of them and I see them all really happy here. They should come and look, they have to see it. Maybe they should use their heart when making decisions like this.

How do you see the future? Could there be a second chance?

In this moment I cannot say anything about the future because right now we are broken. In just two weeks everything has changed and I’ve not had time to think about the future. I thought [Barça] was our future.

It won’t be easy to forget…

I don’t think it will be easy. It’s a situation which we need time to accept, but we will not forget, evidently.

Fode is now in Holland, his home?

Yes, it is his home, but he could always go wherever he wanted, that was not a problem. And [Barcelona] was now his home. That’s why he’s so disappointed. He will miss Barcelona a lot.

And his teammates.

Yes, of course. He is already missing them. As soon as he knew what was happening, all he wanted to do was to go and see them and say goodbye. There were tears. It’s such a shame.