FIFA bans Barcelona youngsters signed illegally, players asked to leave La Masia

FIFA hits Barcelona’s La Masia with a ban

FC Barcelona, who were hit with a transfer ban by FIFA that did not allow them to sign players in the transfer market until January 2016, have received yet another ban from FIFA. The Catalan club are no longer allowed to train or house their youth members below the age of 18. This will be a huge blow to La Masia who have produced quite a number of world class talents like Lionel Messi, Pedro, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Nine youngsters were initially not allowed to play for the club as their transfers were not compliant with the rules set by FIFA. The organization though has gone a step further now and has stated that these players may no longer train at the Ciutat Esportiva de Sant Joan Despi, and have to leave the La Masia premises.

The nine players who are in the list are Theo Chendri and Kais Ruis from France, Paik, Jang and Lee from South Korea, Bobby Adekanye from the Netherlands, Takefusa Kubo from Japan, Patrice Sousia from Cameroon, and Ben Lederman from the USA.

Ben Lederman has since returned to the United States and is expected to return to the club in a few months. Others like Takefusa Kubo and Kais Ruis have returned to their childhood clubs Tokyo FC and Paris-Saint Germain respectively.

Cameroon teenager ends up homeless after FIFA ban

Patrice Sousia, on the other hand, is a player who is facing the worst situation compared to the rest. The Cameroonian is currently homeless and, according to a report in Mundo Deportivo, the young player is assumed to be living with his current teammate Alex Collado’s mother. Special arrangements between the Samuel Eto’o foundation and FC Barcelona are being made to find a solution for the youngster’s problem.

Amongst the South Korean players, Paik is the only player who can train with the club as he is now 18. But Jang and Lee still have to wait a while as they are not yet of age.

Barcelona’s transfer ban which was extended over the past two transfer windows had concluded in September. They may return to dealing in the transfer market from the next transfer window in January 2016.

Although they were banned from registering players this summer, the Catalan club were able to purchase Atletico Madrid’s Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal from Sevilla this summer. Both players cannot be registered until January.

So, Patrice Sousia has been told by the club he can't stay at La Masia. In a great gesture, Álex Collado's family has offered him residence.

— La Masia (@Youngcules) September 7, 2015

In addition to that disgraceful action from FIFA, Ben Lederman has also left Barça and returned to the US with his parents due to the ban.

— La Masia (@Youngcules) September 7, 2015

Barcelona trying to rectify the situation

According to a statement on their official website, the club is looking to fix the situation – especially those of five players. The statement said: “FC Barcelona has presented a request to regularise the situation of, amongst others, five players from the youth teams.

“The measure has been taken with regards to these players due to FIFA’s position which, in their understanding, does not allow the players to train, play or live at the Club’s facilities. FC Barcelona did not renew the licences of the players so that it could not be interpreted that ?a FIFA rule was not being adhered to.”