"Barcelona" team may be allowed to purchase one player regardless of current FIFA sanctions, as reported by Catalonia newspapers "El Mundo Deportivo" and "Sport".
The Catalan club, due to violations in signing contracts with underage players, will not be able to acquire new football players during the two transfer windows - winter 2015 and summer of the same year.
However, on Thursday "Barcelona" announced that Belgian Thomas Vermaelen, who has not played in any official matches this season, will undergo surgery and his rehabilitation will last 4-6 months. FIFA rules provide exceptions when teams are allowed to buy players even outside the transfer window if any of the existing players suffer a serious injury or require a long time to recover.
If "Barcelona" decides to strengthen, their squad could be complemented by any player from the Spanish league or free agents without existing contracts from any country.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne also promises to announce a final decision on "Barcelona's" appeal by the end of the year. Catalans have appealed FIFA's decision to ban them from buying players, but it is doubtful whether it will be accepted.
The Catalan club will also have to resolve the dilemma if the team really decides to acquire a replacement for the incapacitated Th. Vermaelen - the Belgian will have to temporarily leave the team, and even when recovered, he will only be able to return to it in winter 2016 due to the mentioned FIFA sanctions.
fcbarcelona.lt
