adminMADRID. — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yesterday backed a one-year transfer ban against Barcelona in a major blow to the Spanish football giants.
The court said in a statement that it had “dismissed” an appeal made by Barcelona against the ban imposed by Fifa in April for breaching rules on signing players aged under 18.
Barcelona, who are second behind Real Madrid in La Liga, are banned from buying players during the transfer window that opens on January 1 and for the summer transfer period before the 2015-16 season.
That means they cannot sign a player until January 2016. Barcelona were also fined 450 000 Swiss francs (US$455 000). The Spanish federation was also reprimanded by Fifa.
“The panel found in particular that FC Barcelona had breached the rules regarding the protection of minors and the registration of minors attending football academies,” said the statement. — AFP.
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