FIFA has upheld Barcelona’s transfer ban till January 2016. Recall that the Spanish club was banned few months back for breaching transfer regulations on underage players. It was temporarily lifted during the current transfer window. Its appeal against a fine of 500,000 Swiss francs ($565,500) was also rejected.

FIFA said the club will be banned from the national and international market for two consecutive transfer windows, starting in January 2015.

Barcelona immediately announced that the case would be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

A statement from the club reads thus, “FC Barcelona announces that it shall continue defending its interests before the highest sporting authority, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”