The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling on April 24, 2015, concerning a dispute between FC Barcelona (FCB) and FIFA over violations related to the transfer and registration of under-aged players. The case stemmed from FIFA's investigation into FCB's practices between 2005 and 2012, which revealed breaches of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). The CAS panel, composed of Prof. Petros Mavroidis, Mr. Efraim Barak, and Prof. Ulrich Haas, addressed multiple legal issues, including the interpretation of FIFA statutes and the responsibilities of clubs and national associations in player transfers.
FIFA had initially sanctioned FCB in November 2013, imposing a two-transfer-window ban on registering new players and a fine of CHF 450,000 after finding the club guilty of improperly registering 31 under-aged players. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was also fined CHF 500,000 for its role in the violations. FCB appealed to the FIFA Appeal Committee, which upheld the sanctions in August 2014. The club then took the case to CAS, arguing that it had complied with Spanish law and regional football regulations, particularly those of the Catalan Football Federation (FCF). FCB contended that the players in question were registered with the FCF because they participated only in regional competitions, and the RFEF's statutes delegated such registrations to regional bodies.
The CAS panel rejected FCB's arguments, clarifying that FIFA's regulations recognize only national associations, not regional ones, as responsible for international transfers and player registrations. The panel emphasized that the ban on transferring minors under Article 19 RSTP applies to clubs directly, and FCB could not evade responsibility by blaming the RFEF or FCF. The panel also dismissed FCB's claim that it had acted in good faith, noting the club's failure to justify the transfers under the exceptions permitted by FIFA, such as family relocation or proximity to national borders. The violations were deemed systematic, involving 31 players over seven years, and the panel found FCB's conduct reckless, prioritizing economic interests over player welfare.
Regarding sanctions, the panel upheld FIFA's two-transfer-window ban, ruling it proportionate given the gravity of the violations and the need to deter future misconduct. The panel noted that protecting minors is a fundamental objective of FIFA's regulations, and FCB's actions undermined this principle. The decision reinforced FIFA's authority to enforce its rules and highlighted the importance of compliance with international transfer protocols. The CAS ruling dismissed all of FCB's appeals and requests for relief, affirming the FIFA Appeal Committee's decision in full. The case set a precedent for interpreting FIFA's regulations on minor transfers and underscored the consequences of non-compliance for clubs and associations. The panel's decision emphasized the balance between sporting excellence and regulatory adherence, particularly in youth player development.