Barcelona have been hit with a transfer ban by La Liga after the Spanish football governing body refused to allow them to register players over Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches. The ban, which will last for two transfer windows, will prevent the Catalan giants from signing any new players until the summer of 2016.
The ban comes after Barcelona failed to comply with the FFP regulations set by UEFA, which require clubs to balance their books and not spend more than they earn. Barcelona had been under investigation for some time and were found to have breached the regulations.
The ban will have a huge impact on Barcelona’s transfer plans for the summer. The club had already been linked with a number of high-profile players, including Neymar, Paul Pogba and Marco Reus, but now they will be unable to sign any of them.
The ban will also have a knock-on effect on the rest of La Liga. With Barcelona unable to sign any new players, other clubs in the league will be able to take advantage of the situation and sign some of the players that Barcelona had been targeting.
Barcelona have already appealed the decision, but it is unlikely that the ban will be overturned. The club will now have to focus on developing their existing squad and making the most of the players they already have.
The ban is a huge blow to Barcelona and their fans, but it is a necessary step in order to ensure that clubs comply with the FFP regulations. It is also a reminder to other clubs in La Liga that they must adhere to the regulations or face similar sanctions.