Monday 16 February 2015 15:24, UK
Barcelona are still able to sign players this year as long as they are not registered before January 2016, FIFA have confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ.
In April 2014, the La Liga club were banned from making any signings for 14 months after being found guilty of breaking the governing body’s rules on the transfer of players aged under 18.
FIFA then rejected Barcelona’s appeal against the ban in August, only for a subsequent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to allow the Spanish giants to make a raft of big-money signings before the summer transfer window closed.
However, after CAS also dismissed Barca’s appeal in December, it was believed the club would not be allowed to make any new purchases this year.
Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo reported at the weekend that Barcelona were interested in signing both Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata and Porto right-back Danilo for next season.
FIFA say, although it would go against the spirit of the ruling, there is nothing to stop the Catalans from talking to potential targets or clubs - or even purchasing players - this summer as long as those new recruits are not registered before January 2016.
