La Liga giants Barcelona's hopes of having their two consecutive transfer window ban overturned have evaporated after FIFA ruled the punishment will stand.
This decision by football's governing body to uphold the sanction comes five months after the ban was initially handed to the Catalan side, which was suspended due to an appeal from Barcelona.
The club was thus permitted to dive into the transfer market this summer, sealing marquee signing Luis Suarez alongside Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu, and Thomas Vermaelen.
Barca's summer spending spree so far
Barca's summer deals: Claudio Bravo – £9m Ivan Rakitic – £15m Luis Suarez – £75m Jeremy Mathieu – £15m Thomas Vermaelen – £15m TOTAL: £129m
— The Sun - Football (@TheSunFootball) August 20, 2014
This move is in result of a FIFA investigation which revealed the Blaugrana were in infringment of rules regarding the signing of minors, in connection to 10 players in the club's youth academy.
The ban will kick into affect in the next transfer window, which opens in January 2015, meaning no new names will arrive at Camp Nou until January 2016, when Barcelona complete their punishment.
An official statement by Fifa regarding the ban read: "FC Barcelona is to serve a transfer ban which will see the club prevented from registering any players at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, starting with the next registration period (January 2015).
"Barcelona has also been ordered to pay a fine of 450,000 Swiss francs (£296,000) and been given a period of 90 days from today in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."
After FIFA ruled the two-transfer window ban will stand, these are the last Barca signings until January 2016
Twitter reacted to the decision by football's governing body
FIFA: "Have you bought everyone you want yet?" Barca: "No." FIFA: "Ok..." Barca: "Only joking! We're done!" FIFA: "Oh you! Ban starts...now"
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 20, 2014
Barca ban is a joke, as usual. Banning them after they've assembled the best front line in world football. Well done, FIFA.
— Sean (@attwood10) August 20, 2014
If FIFA had any scruples Barca's summer business would be declared void and Suarez would be forced back to Liverpool. Wouldn't be awkward.
— Reda Maher (@Reda_Maher_LDN) August 20, 2014
FIFA banned Barca from buying any player for the coming 2 transfer windows. Appeal was rejected. Yeah, after they signed Suarez! #UEFALONA
— Khalid. (@khalidpschwarz) August 20, 2014
Barca 's2-window transfer ban upheld...but they can stock up as much as they want in this one... You sure showed them, FIFA!
— Massimo Marioni (@MassMarioni) August 20, 2014
Barca transfer ban rejected, Suarez ban rejected yeah we are UEFALONA for sure and where is Ramos red card yesterday?
— (@Barcaaaaa1899) August 20, 2014
The Liga BBVA heavyweights, though, will not accept this ruling easily, as a statement by the club revealed their plans to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"Following the resolution announced today by the FIFA Appeals Committee on violations of regulations regarding the transfer and registration of children aged under 18 years, FC Barcelona announces that it shall continue defending its interests before the highest sporting authority, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"FC Barcelona may not in any way share a resolution that is an affront to the spirit of our Masia, a world renowned example of academic, human and sporting education."
