Barcelona have been given a 14-month transfer ban by FIFA which means they will not be able to sign any players until 2015. The Catalan club picked up the penalty for breaking the rules on signing international players which are under the age of 18.
It could cause the Spanish champions problems in the summer as goalkeeper Victor Valdes and captain Carles Puyol are expected to depart. Their replacements were expected to come into the club when the transfer window opens at the end of the season, however, unless they are successful in their appeal, they may have to settle with the squad they currently have.
The news comes as a further blow to Barcelona who were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Neymar was able to cancel out Diego’s opener but they conceded a crucial away goal, meaning they will have to score at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in the second leg.
Barca also have work to do in La Liga where they sit second and trail Atletico by one point. They are still favourites to win the title though and can be backed at www.bet365.com/news/en/betting.
The Spanish giants have confirmed they will appeal the decision taken by FIFA to punish them in the next two transfer windows, however, the case is unlikely to be heard until later this month.
If the appeal goes against Barcelona, they then have the option of taking their case up to Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The current punishment does not restrict outgoing transfer away from the Nou Camp.
It is the second time this season that Barcelona have been accused of wrongdoing. They are still under investigation for tax invasion related to the purchase of Neymar from Brazil.