Barcelona blast Fifa response to Arda registration request

The international governing body responded negatively to the club's wish to register the former Atletico attacker, following Rafinha's lengthy injury lay-off

Barcelona have criticised Fifa for failing to adequately respond to a request to register Turkey international Arda Turan, signed from Atletico Madrid in the recent transfer window.

The reigning Liga champions had been banned from registering new signings for failing to comply with rules on youth team players, but a lenghty lay-off for midfielder Rafinha prompted the club to request that the Spanish Football association (RFEF) contact Fifa on their behalf, with a view registering Arda.

The ban was thought to last until the January transfer window, but the club understood that the sanction ended following the closing of the pre-season transfer window in September.

If the sanctions ended in September as thought, the only obstacle to Barcelona register Arda or any other player would be the RFEF's registration windows, which open again in January.