FIFA Ban Three Italian Clubs For Ilegal Transfer Of Nigeria Players

FIFA Ban Three Italian Clubs For Ilegal Transfer Of Nigeria Players By Sampson Adedeji The hammer of World soccer governing body (FIFA) has fallen on 3 Italian teams for illegal transfer of Nigeria players, BSNSports.com.ng can reports. The three clubs punished are Italian Serie A club Spezia Calcio and lower-league sides USD Lavagnese 1919 and . FIFA ban Serie A Spezia with a two-year transfer ban, maintaining that the American-owned club broke transfer rules when they recruited players under the age of 18 from Nigeria. “Bringing several Nigerian minors into Italy using a scheme aimed at circumventing (transfer of minor rules) as well as national immigration law”, said the Athletic. The international transfers of players are only allowed if the player is over the age of 18. This 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). Meanwhile, the affected clubs can appeal the punishment or seek redress at appropriate place.