FIFA youth transfer rules challenged in Swiss court

Posted November 24, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA rules that restrict youth players from being transferred worldwide are being challenged in a Swiss court.

Zurich law firm Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwaelte says it filed the case for a 17-year-old player from Africa. It declined to identify him or any European club supporting the case.

The case was filed Wednesday in Zurich's cantonal (state) commercial court.

FIFA says it had not been notified by Thursday afternoon.

The case argues FIFA rules discriminate against youths from outside the 28-member European Union.

FIFA rules limit under-18s being transferred internationally to specific circumstances, such as a player's family moving for non-soccer reasons. There are some exemptions for 16- and 17-year-olds to comply with European labor laws.

Since 2014, FIFA imposed transfer bans on Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid over youth signings.

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