1. FC Köln is not allowed to register any new players in the next two transfer periods. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed the transfer ban imposed by FIFA.
The judgment was delivered to the FC on Thursday afternoon (December 21, 2023), as the club confirmed. This was preceded by a dispute between 1. FC Cologne and the Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana over the transfer of the then 16-year-old youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik.
FIFA awarded FC with Registration ban
Potocnik terminated his contract in Ljubljana and moved to 1. FC Köln in January 2022. The Slovenians then accused the FC of inciting a breach of contract. The Cologne team, however, assumed that Potocnik had legally terminated his contract.
Ljubljana then complained to the world football association FIFA, which banned 1. FC Köln from registering new players over two transfer periods. The FC appealed against this ban before the CAS. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport then suspended the punishment, but has now confirmed it.
Potocnik suspended for four months
In addition, Potocnik – with 1. FC Köln jointly liable – was supposed to pay 51,750 euros to Olimpija Ljubljana according to FIFA. The CAS has now increased this amount to 60,000 euros. In addition, Potocnik will also be banned for four months.
“We would have wished for and expected a different verdict. Accordingly, we are very disappointed that, despite numerous evidence to the contrary, the CAS classified Jaka Potocnik’s termination as not legally effective and at the same time did not find sufficient evidence that the first person did not incite this termination . FC Cologne has seen“said FC managing director Christian Keller in a club statement.
Need for transfer on offense
The transfer ban is a big blow for FC. With just ten points after 16 Bundesliga games, Cologne are in acute danger of relegation. There is a need for improvement, especially in the offensive (only ten goals). External newcomers are now excluded for the time being.
“We have always said that we have always taken the transfer ban scenario into account and will plan our squad accordingly until the end of the now fixed ban. The following applies: In every challenge there is always an opportunity. It is precisely with this attitude that we will look forward and tackle this challenge“said Keller.