FIFA say Barcelona will not get special permission to sign a defender after Thomas Vermaelen was sidelined by injury for several months.

Barcelona sought an emergency signing under 'exceptional situations' in Spanish federation rules, despite facing a one-year FIFA transfer embargo.

FIFA told Barcelona on Monday that its disciplinary committee did not 'conceive an exception' for signing players 'outside the official periods of registration.'

Thomas Vermaelen underwent surgery on a hamstring injury that will keep him out for several more months

The defender (left) is yet to make a single appearance for Barcelona since his summer move

The Belgium international joined the Catalan club from Arsenal for £15million

FIFA's ban was imposed because Barcelona broke rules on international signings of young players. It takes effect in January, pending an appeal verdict this month from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Barcelona signed Vermaelen in the off-season when FIFA froze the ban until appeals were completed.