( CNN ) It 's been a turbulent start to 2015 for leading Spanish club Barcelona as it sacked director of football Andoni Zubizarreta , while Carles Puyol decided to step down from his assistant sporting director role . Zubizarreta 's dismissal follows Sunday 's disappointing 1-0 La Liga defeat to Real Sociedad and the news last Tuesday that the club had lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport ( CAS ) following the decision to ban it from being able to sign new players over the next 12 months . A former goalkeeper for the club , Zubizarreta had been responsible for Barcelona 's transfer business since returning to the Camp Nou in July 2010 . `` The FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to terminate as of today the contract of the Club 's Director of Football , Andoni Zubizarreta , '' an official Barcelona statement read . `` The President , in the name of the Club , thanks Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution , dedication and professionalism over the last four years in his role at the head of the Club 's football area . '' Zubizaretta was n't the only leading figure at Barcelona to leave the club Monday after Puyol confirmed on his Facebook page that he would also be departing . A former captain of the club , who won three Champions League crowns and six La Liga titles , Puyol was appointed assistant sporting director soon after retiring as a player in May . `` These last three months gave me the opportunity to see the other side of the club . I learned a lot , I am very grateful and , now , I want to try other things from another perspective and in other places , '' Puyol wrote . `` I want to grow both personally and professionally so that , in the future , I can return to this home and give back all that you gave me during these unforgettable years . `` I remain extremely grateful to the employees , directors , president and sports management for trusting me and for helping me in this transition that was not easy . `` And most of all to the fans who , if I felt they were supportive when I played , now , since my retirement , I feel that even more . `` I wish I could have said good bye to everyone with my boots on , but life does not always goes as one desires . I have been and I am very fortunate too feel as much love and support , for which I can only say THANK YOU and let you know that I will always carry you in my heart . `` Long live BARCA . '' CAS 's decision , which found Barcelona guilty of breaching FIFA rules on signing minors , means the club is unable to add to its squad during the next two transfer windows . The Spanish club , also hit with a $ 455,000 fine , says the transfer ban is `` disproportionate '' and `` excessive . '' After Barcelona 's loss to Real Sociedad -- a result which meant it missed the chance to move top of the La Liga table -- Zubizarreta suggested in an interview with Canal+ that he was not solely to blame for the transfer ban . `` Taking responsibility is to explain the actions , how the decisions were made , but I have little to explain because the vice-president [ Bartomeu ] who was in charge of that area [ at the time ] is the current president , '' he said . FIFA first issued the ban in April , but with Barcelona appealing the decision it was free to buy players until that appeal was then rejected by world football 's governing body in August . Zubizarreta helped to bring Luis Suarez to the club from Liverpool in the summer , which was met with much excitement from supporters , yet other signings have not been met with such acclaim . Douglas was signed from Sao Paulo but has only made three appearances this season , while Thomas Vermaelen has yet to make his debut for the club since joining from Arsenal due to injury . Zubizarreta also helped sign the likes of Adriano , Javier Mascherano , Alexis Sanchez , Cesc Fabregas and Neymar , who have all proved relative successes . Neymar 's transfer , however , cast a shadow over Barcelona , with Spain 's authorities accusing the club of tax fraud . Zubizarreta played for Barcelona between 1986 and 1994 , helping the side to a first ever European Cup in 1992 . The Spanish club is yet to announce who will fill the vacancy left by the 53-year-old .
Andoni Zubizarreta dismissed by Barcelona from role of director of football . Decision follows the club losing its appeal to CAS over transfer ban . - June 12 : The Spanish Football Federation announces that it will not renew the contract with former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho after he was found guilty in a court case for tax fraud and breach of