Barcelona Reportedly Face FIFA Investigation into La Masia Youth Academy

Barcelona's famed La Masia academy is under threat after it was revealed the Camp Nou giants face sanctions after once again possibly breaking FIFA regulations.   

Moises Llorens of AS says there has been a "full stop" in bringing in new players for La Masia from both Spain and abroad, after the potential flouting of article 19—the regulation of under-age signings.

Llorens says Barca have now marked the issue as an “extremely high priority” as the problem is investigated and rectified.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The journalist writes there is a "lack of understanding about what’s going on" within the Blaugrana, but they believe the institution of the superclub “is being massacred.” The sporting director at the Catalan club has now ordered no more players be brought into the institution—from both home and abroad—until the matter is settled. 

The situation follows Barca's last altercations with FIFA, which led to a ban on the registration of new players until January 2016, damaging manager Luis Enrique's transfer policy. 

The club will be incredibly embarrassed by this new problem, especially if it leads to yet more sanctions by the world governing body, further tarnishing the reputation of one of the planet's iconic teams.

MANU FERNANDEZ/Associated Press

The academy produced Lionel Messi and Xavi, among many others, with the former Spanish great telling Champions magazine (h/t UEFA.com) how integral the youth system is to Barca: "I was 11 when I arrived, and the football philosophy of this club was drilled into me from the off. The most important thing is a willingness to learn. The philosophy is that the result is not important."

Barcelona have always prided themselves as being a club of the people, and the latest news will have caused ripples of concern across their supporter base.

Barca are reliant on their conveyor belt of talent as they look to populate the reserve setup at the club, and if sanctions are now implemented, a rethink will be needed about the administration of their philosophy and structure.