Manchester City Escape Transfer Ban

Ever since allegations regarding the alleged behaviour of  Manchester City started appearing in the press there has been speculation about the potential punishments being imposed.

Today FIFA confirmed that Manchester City have been found to be in breach of the codes in place surrounding the transfer of young players and have given the Club a warning and imposed a fine.

Crucially the punishment handed out to City has not included a transfer ban.

There are a series of complex rules in existence governing the transfer of young players between international countries. The rules are designed to prevent young people in effect from being trafficked and are a sensible attempt to safeguard vulnerable youngsters.

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In the light of the criminal cases about children being exploited by football coaches in the past, I think we would all applaud FIFA for establishing the rules to safeguard children.

Although the rules themselves are complex and detailed it would appear important that City agreed with FIFA that the club had made mistakes in relation to the transfer of young players and cooperated in full with the investigation.

Pointedly, the statement released by City suggests that the investigation was fair and impartial – crucially implying the clear difference with how they perceive the UEFA investigation regarding alleged FFP violations.

FIFA commenced their investigation into City following the interviews in the Danish press with youngsters who had been acquired through the Right to Dream programme in Ghana which suggested City had flaunted the system. This allegation was also contained within some of the ‘football leaks’ material printed by Der Spiegel’ which was reportedly hacked and stolen.

City would appear to have acknowledged they made some errors in their interpretation of the guidance in 2016, before the guidance publication from FIFA was issued and have apologised.

Whilst the fine is not insignificant the punishment is much lighter than other clubs have faced.

FIFA have banned Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea for similar breaches in the rules governing the signing of young players. In fact Chelsea are currently serving a 2 window ban.

Those cases involved different scenarios – all of them involved a number of players and a systemic breach of the system. Clearly in relation to City this would not appear to be the case.

City remain under investigation by UEFA with regards to FFP. But it is positive that the feared transfer ban has not been imposed. That may well be why City have decided not to pursue a centre back in this last transfer window after all.