FC Köln handed transfer ban by FIFA | OneFootball

Bundesliga side FC Köln have today been banned from registering players for the coming season at national and international level for the next two transfer windows. As confirmed to Kicker by FIFA, this essentially means that the Billy Goats cannot sign any players during this period.

This comes after the transfer of Slovenian forward Jaka Cuber to Köln last year. It’s suggested that the Bundesliga side instigated the then 16-year-old to terminating his contract with Olimpija Ljubljana before signing for the German club on a free transfer – Olimpija therefore missing out on a significant transfer fee.

Cuber has been suspended for four months with immediate effect whilst according to Bild, FC Köln will also have to pay a fine of €54,000 to Olimpija. Köln can still appeal the decision via the International Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and have 21 days to do so.

Should Köln fail in their appeal, they will only be able to promote players from their youth teams, or extend the contract of players currently at the club.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder