FIFA fines Anderlecht for breaking youth transfer rules
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has fined Belgian club Anderlecht 200,000 Swiss francs ($198,000) for breaking rules related to youth transfers, but did not impose a transfer ban.
FIFA says its disciplinary panel "took into account the cooperation of the club," which violated the rules in signing four young players.
In a similar case, Chelsea is preparing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge a one-year transfer ban.
Manchester City is also under scrutiny by FIFA.
FIFA prohibits international transfers of minors unless their families moved to a country for non-soccer reasons, or are close to the border of another nation where the youngster plays.
Exceptions within most of Europe allow 6- to 18-year-old players to be signed if education and living standards are met.
FIFA says it also fined the Belgian soccer federation 230,000 Swiss francs ($228,000).
