FIFA sanctions Serie A side Spezia over underage transfers

Serie A club Spezia  were given a four-window transfer ban by FIFA for breaking rules relating to the signing of underage players, the world football governing body said Friday.

Spezia were deemed to have brought “several Nigerian minors into Italy using a scheme” to circumvent regulations “as well as national immigration law,” said FIFA.

The club were also fined 50,000 Swiss francs (54,500 dollars) in addition to the transfer ban.

Spezia said they were “surprised” by the sanction, which was too harsh for offences carried out under previous club ownership, and they would consider legal options.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yusuf Musa, Nura Abdullahi and Sadiq Umar, were among some 13 young Nigerian players believed to have plied their trade with the Seria A side years back.