Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: FIFA, Manchester City, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr
Josh Lawless
Topics: FIFA, Manchester City, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr
FIFA are poised to inform a former Manchester City star that he is banned from playing for his new club, reports say.
In a busy transfer deadline day for clubs in Europe, Aymeric Laporte sealed a return to Athletic Club following a spell with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Laporte played 69 times for Al Nassr but was desperate to end his adventure in the Saudi Pro League and after a long saga combined with the club signing Inigo Martinez, he finally got his wish on the final day of the window.
The Spain international agreed personal terms and a three-year contract with Athletic a while back and according to Fabrizio Romano, turned down more than five clubs to seal his dream comeback.
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However, the central defender looks set to be left in limbo after an error made by Al Nassr. MARCA say that while Athletic did everything smoothly, Al Nassr did not submit the paperwork on time and so the Basque outfit were left with no way of registering Laporte.
Journalist Jose Felix Diaz says the club have been working tirelessly to "unblock the situation" but El Partidazo de COPE say that after reviewing the case, FIFA will inform Athletic that Laporte cannot be registered as the international transfer certificate did not arrive on time and the online TMS (Transfer Matching System) which is used for all transfers, was closed.
FIFA are yet to comment officially but there could be a scenario where Laporte, who still hopes to play for Spain at next year's World Cup, is unable to play competitively until January.
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Laporte's move was announced on La Liga's website and social channels before being amended as a result of the registration difficulties which were compared to David De Gea's collapsed Real Madrid move in 2015.
Having reached the Europa League semi-finals under Ernesto Valverde, Athletic finished fourth in La Liga to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League and will face the likes of Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and holders Paris Saint-Germain.
In his first spell, Laporte played 220 times for Athletic after coming through the ranks - before signing for City in a £57 million in 2018.
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He won five Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola, as well as two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups and one Champions League.