Barcelona’s proposed signing of Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen remains in doubt after the club’s transfer ban.
The Catalans have been prevented from making any signings until the summer of 2015 after FIFA found them in breach of regulations regarding the signing and registering of players under the age of 18 from outside Spain.
Barca confirmed on Wednesday night that they are appealing the decision, vowed to take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] if need be, and asked that the transfer ban be suspended while their appeal is heard.
The RFEF was also fined for their part in registering the players and both parties were ordered to make sure the registrations of the players was in line with the rules. Barca have 90 days to do so and the RFEF a year.
Barca last month announced the signing of Croatia teenager Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb while Ter Stegen was expected to be brought in to replace Victor Valdes, but the transfer hasn’t been confirmed.
Ter Stegen’s representative has said the player will leave Gladbach this summer and they are monitoring the situation closely, words echoed by Ter Stegen, AS reports.
“I don’t know if the decision relates to future transfers or signings also being finalised,” Gerd von Bruch is quoted as saying.
“We are calm and we will continue to observe what happens in the coming weeks. It seems Marc will leave Gladbach in the summer.”
AS added that Barca may try to claim they should be allowed to sign Halilovic and Ter Stegen as they were deals done before the ban was imposed, but FIFA are unlikely to look kindly upon the suggestion.
When Barca attempt to register the pair this summer then, should the ban remain, they would not be authorised by FIFA, according to AS.
