Athletic Club has appeared on FIFA's list of clubs temporarily banned from registering new players, potentially facing restrictions until 2028. The club anticipates the issue, related to a player rights discrepancy, will be resolved within days. This follows a recent positive outcome in registering defender Aymeric Laporte.
Athletic Club, known for its unique policy of signing only Basque players, has been listed on FIFA's Registration Bans platform, signaling a potential transfer embargo. According to reports from Marca, this could prevent the club from registering new signings during the summer windows of 2026 and 2027, as well as the January 2028 period, extending until the winter window of that year.
The listing stems from a discrepancy over player rights, which the club expects to resolve within the next 24 hours. Athletic Club officials hope FIFA will lift the ban imminently, similar to a prior issue this season involving the registration of Aymeric Laporte from Al-Nassr. That matter was successfully addressed, allowing the defender to play.
One report described the ban as a one-year prohibition covering three transfer periods, without an initial reason provided by FIFA. The club has not issued an official statement, but sources indicate it relates to violations such as financial disputes or regulatory non-compliance. Supporters express concern, given the club's challenges in the transfer market due to its policy, though it has proven effective over the years.
While the embargo would represent a significant setback for the Champions League participants, the prevailing view is that it will be removed once the player rights issue is sorted, restoring normal operations. Until resolution, uncertainty lingers around Athletic Club's future signings.
