This week provided us with an unnecessary midweek interruption of international friendlies. Of course, there is nothing like an international friendly to pop out of nowhere while the season is in full swing. Time and time again we hear FIFA talking about its players playing too many games but do they have the players' best interests at heart or is it all about the money? It's time for FIFA, UEFA, clubs and the players to create a better more relaxed schedule for the sake of its players. This applies not only to international friendlies, but also to club friendlies.

Much speculation has been given of late to the possibility that Pep Guardiola may leave FC Barcelona.  The prospect of losing a man who has steered our club to 13 of a possible 16 trophies has left many cules rightly terrified.  I tend to agree with the assessment of Barcelona and Spanish national team announcer Alfredo Martinez Marin, who believes that Guardiola is putting off contract renewal in order to motivate his players and evaluate each of them before an inevitable summer renovation.  Nonetheless, an abrupt departure by a highly successful coach has precedent, and we must explore the possible successors to Guardiola’s throne and the possible destinations for our coach.

The current predicament plaguing the Spanish league is not about which clubs are able to pay their players’ salaries or the possibility of another strike from the league players. No, the current quandary that has once again put the RFEF in the spotlight again is the uncertainty of where the Copa del Rey final will be played. Madrid’s rejection of hosting the final has put the RFEF in a negative light regarding how inept they are which is a clear contrast of their neighboring countries’ leagues.

I agree with the decision by Guardiola to rest Xavi and Iniesta and would not have played them against Osasuna, even given the fact that we were down 2-0.  The other players are not stiffs and should have been more than capable of beating a mid-table club.  The result against Osasuna is not the real issue, however.  For me there are a number of questions that must be answered.

Barça’s loss over the weekend to Osasuna probably all but ended their hopes of winning their fourth consecutive league title. We can blame it on many things and complain as much as we want but, barring some unexpected collapse from Real Madrid, it’s time for the club and fans to focus on the two other cups and expect a cup double. However, there's some blame to pass around about how the league seemed lost in February and that’s aimed at Guardiola and all the way up to club President Sandro Rosell.

With Real Madrid enjoying a seven point lead atop of the standings, thanks to some fine no-calls from the referees, maybe it’s time for Pep to conserve some of the team’s energy when it comes to league matches. Although they are not out of the race for a fourth consecutive league crown, their chances are looking a bit tough. Additionally, they have two other titles to think off with the Champions League still theirs to lose. The club has seen numerous players pick up injuries and we are only in the month of February. Thus, perhaps Pep is better off saving his players for the Champions League and Copa Del Rey titles by resting his starters from some league matches.

Another Clásico came and went and once again, we got to encounter another controversy regarding Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Everyone saw Pepe’s intentional act of stepping on Messi’s hand and although no swift action was taken, it was expected that the RFEF would use video evidence to go after Pepe. Unfortunately, RFEF failed to punish Pepe and he was back in the starting lineup. This was just another example of how the RFEF have double standards and quite frankly it is getting to be pathetic.

As we enter a new year, an old dilemma still haunts our beloved game of football. Just these past few weeks, the calls of ref bias reared its ugly head again. The big surprise though, was that it was coming from Barça fans this time. The missed calls on the obvious handball in the Espanyol game coupled with the booking to Iniesta after he was fouled inside the box in the Betis game and the missed calls in the Madrid Mallorca game upset many fans who believe the gap between the archrivals should be down to two points. I don’t think there is a bias by the refs. It’s just incompetence. I also think that the idea of instant replay has to become a reality in the near future so we don't have to witness another poor decision like Iniesta's booking against Betis this past weekend.