Arsene Wenger: 'Barcelona deserve ban'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Barcelona were right to receive a transfer ban after FIFA adjudged them to have breached regulations regarding players aged under 18.

The Catalan giants have been informed that they will be unable to make any signings during the next two transfer windows, and Wenger has insisted that the Spanish side have shown 'no respect' for the rules.

The Frenchman told reporters: "Certainly they have not respected the rules.

"The rule is quite simple, you cannot move the players before the age of 16 unless their parents move for professional reasons, so that of course creates a bit of a debate - do the parents move for professional reasons or not?

"In this case, FIFA has judged the parents moved for football reasons and that is why they were banned because they have not respected the rules."

Barcelona, who had said that they will appeal the ruling, have also been fined £305,000.