FIFA Issues Two-Year Transfer Ban On Italian Clubs Over Deals Involving Nigerians

FIFA Issues Two-Year Transfer Ban On Italian Clubs Over Deals Involving Nigerians

The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have blow hot on three Italian clubs for their illegal transfer of Nigerian minors.

The clubs involved includes Italian Serie A club Spezia Calcio and lower-league sides USD Lavagnese 1919 and Valdivara 5 Terre.

The International Football governing body, FIFA, has handed Spezia a two-year transfer ban, maintaining that the American-owned club broke transfer rules when it recruited players under the age of 18 from Nigeria.

according to The Athletic, the club was guilty of “bringing several Nigerian minors into Italy using a scheme aimed at circumventing (transfer of minor rules) as well as national immigration law”.

According FIFA rule, the international transfers of players are only allowed if the player is over the age of 18, which means that, as far as minors are concerned, international transfers are technically prohibited.

The two other Italian lower-league sides were punished for “having played an active role” in the scheme.

Aside from not being able to sign any new players for the next two seasons, Spezia were also hit with a fine of CHF 500,000 (£394k).

The club can appeal the punishment, which would be frozen in the event of a hearing. It is unclear when the incidents took place.

FIFA Issues Two-Year Transfer Ban On Italian Clubs Over Deals Involving Nigerians.