FIFA rejects appeals of FC Barcelona and the Spanish FA in relation to transfers of minors

Barcelona_FC_Training_Academy_and_Grounds

Thursday, 21 August 2014 Author: John Shea

On August 20 2014, FIFA’s Appeal Committee announced that the appeals lodged by FC Barcelona and the Spanish Football Association (“The RFEF”) against the sanctions imposed by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee in April 2014¹ for breaching FIFA’s protection of minors regulations were rejected. The decision stems from an investigation relating to ten players who were registered by FC Barcelona and participated in competitions with the club between 2009 and 2013. For more background to the case and a detailed look at the regulations, read my previous blogs in March 2013² and April 2014³.

Impact of the decision

The decision means that FC Barcelona are prevented from registering any players at both national and international level until the January 2016 transfer window. The club must also pay a fine of CHF 450,000 and regularise the situation of all minor players concerned within 90 days. The RFEF must also pay a fine of CHF 500,000 and regularise their regulations and existing system concerning the international transfer of minors within one year. A copy of FIFA’s statement regarding the rejected appeals can be found here⁴.

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Tags: Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) | FIFA | FIFA Appeal Committee | FIFA Disciplinary Committee | Football | Governance | Regulation | Spain | Spanish Football Association (RFEF) | Transfer of minors

Written by

John Shea

John is a senior associate in the Sports Business Group at Lewis Silkin specialising in contentious, regulatory and disciplinary issues for clubs, agencies, governing bodies and athletes