The Danish FA has rejected an application by Barcelona to establish an academy near Copenhagen.

The DBU rejected the move for the academy, aimed at children aged six to 16, on the grounds that “the plans conflict with the Danish regulations for the protection of children.” These aim to safeguard children’s well-being, happiness and security.

Barcelona had announced their plan in March when Allan Simonsen, who became the first Dane to represent the Catalan club in 1979, said the academy would offer young Danish prospects what he described as an “entirely different philosophy”.