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Manchester City Reportedly Avoid Transfer Ban After Benjamin Garre Investigation

Matt JonesFeatured ColumnistApril 17, 2018

Benjamin Garre of Manchester City U19 during the UEFA Youth League match between Feyenoord Rotterdam U19 and Manchester City U19 at the van Donge & de Roo stadium on September 13, 2017 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
VI-Images/Getty Images

Manchester City have reportedly avoided a two-window transfer ban following an investigation into the signing of Benjamin Garre.

As reported by James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been looking into the acquisition. Argentinian club Velez Sarsfield complained that City tried to lure Garre, now 17, away from them when he was 15 before signing him days after his 16th birthday.

However, according to Matt Lawton and Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, City will not be sanctioned after CAS gave the Premier League champions indication on Tuesday that the case will be thrown out.

If CAS had ruled in favour of Velez, then City would've been unable to register players for their squad for the next two windows.

"FIFA had upheld City's argument that Garre was free to join them after his 16th birthday because he holds an Italian passport, but Velez alleged that FIFA rules only allow players under 18 to move between clubs in European countries," added Ducker. "Velez also took the world governing body to CAS after they rejected an initial complaint from the South American club in September 2016."

Ducker noted that all parties involved were expecting an outcome in the case by March, although the complex nature of the deal means a verdict has been delayed.

Gaughan said on Twitter last summer that Garre, who has been part of City's academy setup this season, may end up being a smart signing for the team:

Jack Gaughan @Jack_Gaughan

Looks like Benjamin Garre might be worth the hassle for City. Been very impressive for 23s tonight.

As noted by Soccerway, Garre has made 13 appearances for City in Premier League 2 this season, scoring three goals.

According to Lawton and Gaughan, manager Pep Guardiola is keen to add two or three new players to his squad this summer after the team clinched the Premier League title last weekend.

Garre has been part of the City academy side this season.
Garre has been part of the City academy side this season.VI-Images/Getty Images

And despite some fears about a two-window transfer ban, it appears as though City will be able to strengthen their title-winning squad once again.

In recent years, other massive clubs have been hit with transfer bans by FIFA. Barcelona were the first major side to face one, as they were unable to register new players in January 2015 and the following summer.

In January 2017, both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid were prohibited from adding new players to their squad, with the former also unable to improve their squad last summer.