Barcelona appeal to CAS over FIFA transfer ban

Barcelona are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA upheld their transfer embargo until January 2016. 

The Catalans had appealed to the world football governing body after they were punished in April because of the "international transfer of minors". 

With the punishment held during the appeal process, Barcelona made big moves in the transfer market, signing several players.

Two goalkeepers, two centre-backs, a central midfielder and a striker have all arrived at the Camp Nou, meaning they can now cope with the ban, if the CAS appeal fails. 

A club statement read: "Regarding the resolution handed today by FIFA's appeal committee with regards to the transfer and registrations of players under 18, FC Barcelona announces that it will continue to defend its interests to the highest sporting legal court, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"FC Barcelona cannot agree in any way with the resolution that goes against the spirit of our Masia (Barcelona's youth academy), an example of academic, human and sporting development, recognised worldwide."

FIFA said in a statement beforehand: "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) given that the appeal of the club had been granted suspensive effect by the chairman of the FIFA appeal committee.

"FC Barcelona has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 450,000 (€372,000) and been given a period of 90 days from today in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

The Spanish football governing board has also been forced to pay CHF 500,000 for failing to control the club.