Barcelona have officially stated that Lionel Messi's newly signed contract is in full compliance with FIFA regulations. The validity of Messi's new contract was questioned, with worldwide players' union's president Philippe Piat claiming that the maximum length of contract should not exceed five years. Messi lately penned a deal that should keep him at Nou Camp until 2016. "FC Barcelona announces that, as of today, it has received nothing and knows nothing of a complaint against us from FIFPro, Fifa or any other body in relation to the renewal of the contract of the player Leo Messi," A club statement read. "However, FC Barcelona wants to clarify that in any case, the renewal of that contract player was carried out in full compliance with state labour laws and, of course, under current Fifa rules which state that, under article 18.2 of the regulations on the status and transfer of players, employment contracts can last more than five years provided that, as in this case, state law permits it. "The contract that joins Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona strictly observes the laws and regulations in force and in particular the provisions that are applicable in relation to the length of contract and unilateral termination clause." Messi became Barca's highest-paid player with the new deal, which makes his annual salary around £9.5million.
