Barcelona have lost an appeal against a decision to ban them from the transfer market for two consecutive windows, football's world governing body FIFA said in a statement

As a result, Barca, who were found guilty of breaching rules on the international transfer of under-18 players, will be banned from registering players during the next transfer window in January as well as the 2015 summer window, FIFA said.

The ban was originally imposed in April and would have covered the current transfer window, followed by the next one in January. However, Barcelona appealed and the punishment was frozen during the current transfer window, which closes on September 1 and allowed them to sign striker Luis Suarez.

FIFA found the signing of 10 unnamed players to be in breach of its rules covering the protection of minors. A fine of $494,000 was also imposed on Barcelona.

The Spanish Football Federation was also found to have violated FIFA rules covering the registration of minors. Its appeal against a fine of $565,500 was also rejected.

Barca have since signed Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, himself serving a four-month ban from football, for $108.18 million, Belgium centre back Thomas Vermaelen, France defender Jeremy Mathieu and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

(AP)