La Liga champions FC Barcelona have been given a 14-month transfer ban by FIFA for breaking rules on signing international players under 18. The ban applies over 2 transfer periods and will include pre-season summer transfer period of 2014 and the January transfer window in 2015.

The club and the RFEF have been sanctioned for "breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18."

A press release statement issued by the world governing body read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the RFEF and Spanish club FC Barcelona for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

“The investigations concerned several minor players who were registered and participated in competitions with the club over various periods between 2009 and 2013.”

“FC Barcelona has been found to be in breach of art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of 10 minor players and to have committed several other concurrent infringements in the context of other players, including under Annexe 2 of the Regulations.

“The Disciplinary Committee regarded the infringements as serious and decided to sanction the club with a transfer ban at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, together with a fine of CHF 450,000 [$508,000 or 368,000 euros]. Additionally, the club was granted a period of 90 days in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned.”

The Club plan to appeal. Premier League club Chelsea FC managed to do so under similar circumstances in 2010 and their sanction was lifted.

FC Barcelona released their official club statement later in the day.

UPDATE: April 23, 2014: FIFA official: Barcelona transfer ban suspended.

UPDATE: December 30, 2014: CAS official: Barcelona transfer ban upheld by CAS.