By David Gold
August 15 – FIFA has warned Switzerland to enforce its ruling that FC Sion are unable to field six new signings after the Swiss League allowed the club to select three players barred from competition by world football’s governing body last weekend.
FIFA imposed a ban on the club from purchasing players over the duration of two transfer windows from the start of the 2010-11 season following a ruling that they had illegally signed Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (pictured) in 2008.
But the players involved took the case to a civil court in Martigny, prompting the Swiss League to back down and allow Sion to play three of the players they signed – Mario Mutsch, Pascal Feindouno and Gabri – in the 2-2 draw with Lucerne last weekend.
But FIFA statutes state that such disputes cannot be taken to courts, and they even have the power to suspend federations who fail to enforce their rulings.
Together with UEFA, the governing bodies warned the Swiss Football Association last week that they are expected to comply with and ensure the ruling is adhered to, though it stopped short of making any explicit threats.
Sion are due to play Scottish side Glasgow Celtic in the Europa League qualifying round on Thursday (August 17), and named five of the suspended players in their squad for the first leg of the tie.
The breach of the ruling means they could face further sanction from FIFA, and UEFA could throw them out of European competition for ignoring the warning.
Also available punishments could include banning Switzerland from international football, but it seems unlikely that the dispute will go that far.
Sion maintain that the ban has already been served, but FIFA insist it continues until the end of this year, and the club’s combative President, Christian Constantin (pictured), is determined to fight his corner, even threatening to boycott away matches if the ban was not lifted.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734831272labto1734831272ofdlr1734831272owedi1734831272sni@d1734831272log.d1734831272ivad1734831272