Barcelona have announced they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Fifa yesterday upheld their transfer embargo until January 2016.

The world’s football governing body turned down the Catalan club’s appeal to overturn a two-window transfer ban, which was handed to them in April due to concerns over the “international transfer of minors.”

Barca recruited five players this summer, including Luis Suarez from Liverpool, while their suspension went on hold during the appeals process. 

They have vowed to continue the fight.

A club statement read: “Regarding the resolution handed today by Fifa’s appeal committee with regards to the transfer and registrations of players under 18, FC Barcelona announces that it will continue to defend its interests to the highest sporting legal court, in this case the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“FC Barcelona cannot agree in any way with the resolution that goes against the spirit of our Masia (Barcelona’s youth academy), an example of academic, human and sporting development, recognised worldwide.”

Barca were found guilty of breaching Fifa’s rules on the transfer of players aged under 18.

As things stand, Barca — once this transfer window is closed -— will not be able to make another signing until January 2016.