TheCable

FIFA has slammed a two-year transfer ban on Serie A’s Spezia Calcio over the illegal signing of 13 Nigerian minors.

The Italian club illegally brought in 13 players from Nigeria between 2013-2017.

The Nigerian footballers were below the age of 18 when they first travelled to Italy — a practice which is an infringement on FIFA regulations regarding the movement of minors to foreign countries.

Spezia Calcio was found guilty and handed the two-year sanction, which is the biggest transfer ban ever handed out by the football governing body.

The ban is accompanied by a fine of $544,000 for the La Spezia team.

The judgement was announced in a statement on FIFA website on Friday.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Italian club Spezia Calcio for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18,” the statement read.

“Fifa Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) by bringing several Nigerian minors into Italy using a scheme aimed at circumventing the aforesaid RSTP article as well as national immigration law.

“The Fifa Disciplinary Committee took into account that Spezia Calcio accepted responsibility for its serious regulatory violations, and imposed a registration ban … for four registration periods and a fine of 500,000 Swiss (US$544,000).”

Sadiq Umar, a former Super Eagles invitee, was among the 13 minors illegally traded by Spezia alongside USD Lavagnese and Valdivara 5 Terre — two amateur Italian teams — who have also been banned for their roles in the dealings.