Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona have been hit by a 14-month transfer ban by Fifa for signing players under the age of 18, according to the BBC. The ban means the Catalan club can not sign or sell players until summer 2015 after the world governing body embargoed comings and goings at the Nou Camp for the next two windows. In addition, Barca have also been fined 450,000 Swiss Francs (£305,000). This news will come as a crushing blow to the Spaniards, who had been hoping to sign a new goalkeeper with current No.1 Victor Valdes leaving at the end of his current contract. The four-time European champions had been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but those plans will now have to be shelved. Reserve goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto played in Tuesday night's 1-1 Champions League quarter final draw with local rivals Atletico Madrid with Valdes out injured. The ban apparently revolves around Barcelona's signing of 17-year-old Alen Halilovic last week, and up to 10 other unnamed players, whose identity must remain anonymous, say Fifa. Croaotian midfielder Halilovic joined from Dinamo Zagreb. Current rules state that: U-18s can move to a foreign club if their parents move there for non-footballing reasons If they are from another nation within the EU or European Economic Area and aged between 16 and 18 Or if they live within 100km of the club. The governing body's disciplinary committee said it sought to protect the best interests of young players, even if moves abroad might boost their careers. A Fifa statement read:
"On the basis of this analysis, the committee concluded that 'the interest in protecting the appropriate and healthy development of a minor as a whole must prevail over purely sporting interests'."
This isn't the first time Barcelona have made the headlines for off-field controversies. Earlier this year, they were accused by Spanish authorities of tax evasion relating to the £50 million purchase of Neymar from Santos, and a criminal investigation is still underway. The club's president Sandro Rosell was forced to resign after being accused of misappropriating funds in that deal.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
