OMNISPORT

FIFA has rejected Barcelona’s request to bring forward Arda Turan's registration, according to reports in Spain.

Turan joined Barca during the offseason from Atletico Madrid, despite the Liga champion being under a transfer ban for breaching rules relating to registering youth players.

Under the sanctions, Barcelona is not allowed to field Turan until the ban expires on January 4 but the club approached FIFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for an exemption this week in light of Rafinha suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Turan's agent Ahmed Bulut said on Tuesday that he was "not optimistic" over Barcelona's prospects and sources including Spanish newspaper Marca said on Wednesday that FIFA had refused the request.

Sources close to Barcelona say the club is yet to receive a response from FIFA, but it could take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the event of a rejection

Aleix Vidal, who joined Barcelona from Sevilla, is also prevented from representing his new club until January under the ruling.