The Barcelona ban

European giants Barcelona have been hit with a one year ban from any activity in the transfer window for breaching international rules regarding the signings of under 18's. Barcelona have already declared they are going to appeal the decision and with the exodus of veteran stars like Victor Valdes and Carlos Puyol, the Catalan based club could be severely weakened.

Barcelona have been charged by FIFA following an investigation and stand accused of breaking the rules in the case of 10 minors and also face a charge of £306,000, hardly a fine that will trouble the financial strength Barcelona possess if their appeal is rejected. FIFA rules state that players have to be over the age of 18 if they are allowed to be involved in international transfers, unless they fall into one of three criteria. Players under the age of 18 can only move to a club abroad if: their parents move to that country for non-footballing reasons, if the move takes place in the European union and the player is aged 16-18 or if they live within 100km of the club.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has already spoke out at FIFA's decision, having branded it a "disgrace." Bartomeu said: "We're going to fight because we think this is an injustice. It is hurting Barcelona. We have to show we have done nothing wrong. We have tried to be as transparent as possible, explain what has happened and let people know the truth and that the accusations are false."  

Barcelona face a transfer embargo for a whole year,
with areas in the team in desperate need of replacing.

Bartomeu believes that FIFA decided to investigate Barcelona because of a anonymous complaint by a anonymous person in an attempt to make the club look bad. Bartomeu said: "We are still studying certain documents and we will continue doing that until we can say which people, or who, is behind this.We know we have to fight hard. We have had enough of this basically. Somebody out there is trying to tarnish the good name of our model." 

Barcelona were expected to make several transfers in the summer to replace the loyal players that have been at the club for years, with centre back, goalkeeper and midfielder all sounded out as necessary signings. Reports have suggested that the transfer block could effect the deal they already have in place for Dinamo Zagreb starlet Alen Halilovic and although nothing declared by the club, Borussia Mongladbach's highly rated goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen may now not be heading to the Camp Nou. The ban could see Barcelona lose out on many big players, with Ter Stegen's agent already speaking out saying he doubts his client will now move to Barcelona.    

Bartomeu has spoke of Barcelona's
decision to appeal FIFA's ban.

Any club will tell you that a year in the transfer market will feel like an eternity and even with the might of Barcelona, there are areas that need improvement. If their appeal is turned down by FIFA, it will come as a huge blow to Barcelona's aspirations and could cause them to fall behind league rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid next season. Thankfully, Barcelona do have their impressive academy to fall back on and have plenty of talent in their ranks, even if they are inexperienced, could prove valuable.  

The ban has disgraced a club that has a strong underlined policy of winning with fair play and grace, a policy which has seen them win silverware and plaudits for their style of football played. Expect Barcelona to fight tooth and nail to have this ban overturned and with the financial and political power the club has, it may well be overturned.