Hard punishment for Roma

By Malacoda
July 1 2005

Italian Serie A side AS Roma have been banned from registering new players for a year by FIFA following the controversial transfer of Philippe Mexes from Auxerre. The ban was imposed as punishment for improper conduct in the transfer of the defender from the French club a year ago.


Mexes's arrival in the Italian capital was overshadowed by Auxerre's claim that the player had broken his contract without their permission and that Roma had encouraged him to do so.

"A ban has been imposed on AS Roma from registering any new player, either nationally or internationally, until the expiry of the second transfer period following the notification of this decision," FIFA said in a statement on Friday.

"Roma will only be able to register new players as of the transfer period in the summer of 2006."

FIFA's decision comes as a massive blow to the 2001 Serie A champions, who are trying to build a competitive squad after a disappointing season in which they finished eighth in Serie A, 41 points behind champions Juventus.

Since the end of the season they have signed defender Samuel Kuffour from Bayern Munich, midfielder Rodrigo Taddei from Siena and striker Shabani Nonda from AS Monaco.

FIFA's ruling, however, leaves Roma unsure whether they will now be able to register the trio.

A Roma spokesman said the club was likely to appeal against the ban.

Bookmark or share this story with: