Whether it’s a case or eventuality, FIFA getting serious or something else entirely, banning football clubs seems to be in vogue at the minute.
Manchester City’s recent ban was the standout case, but there’s also been bans for Chelsea, Real Madrid and numerous other clubs in recent years for various crimes.
The latest to join the list are Spanish side Cádiz CF, and it’s all to do with the signing of Mamadou Mbaye from Watford.
Mbaye was with Watford from 2018 to 2019, having arrived from Cádiz B on a free transfer back in 2018.
Except, Watford had never agreed to the move. Marca explain that when Mbaye rejoined Cádiz last summer, it was his belief he had terminated his contract with the club.
That was not the case and, despite Watford’s efforts, no compensation package was agreed.
They instead turned to FIFA and filed a complaint, some of which has been upheld by the governing body, who’ve banned Cádiz from signing players for two windows, banned Mbaye from playing and ordered him to pay £26,834 in compensation to Watford.
Cádiz, though, aren’t accepting the ruling, instead insisting that Mbaye was a free agent when he joined, and thus they are guiltless.
They’re taking the case to CAS (the Court of Arbitration for Sport) in the hope that the ruling, which ‘exploded like a bomb’ at the club, will be overturned and they can carry on as normal.
