Celtic’s Europa League opponents FC Sion have won a court order in a battle with the Swiss Football League (SFL) over their refusal to register six summer signings.
Mario Mutsch, Gabri, Billy Ketkeophomphone, Stefan Glarner, ex-Hearts defender Jose Goncalves and former Celtic trialist Pascal Feindouno have all been left in limbo, having been made to sit out the club’s first three league games of the season by a registration embargo.
A civil court in Switzerland found in favour of the players on Friday, after they collectively lodged a complaint that their rights had been violated. But a final decision is yet to be made by the SFL over whether to register the players for the weekend game with Basel.
A FIFA-imposed embargo has kept the six out of action, with an argument ongoing between Sion and the governing bodies over whether the penalty had expired.
The Swiss club were banned from registering players for two transfer windows by FIFA, having been found guilty of having Egyptian goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary induce his contract with Al Ahli three years ago.
Sion signed the aforementioned six this summer believing they had served their punishment, only for FIFA to state the ban should continue until the end of 2011.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport are also due to rule next week on FIFA’s penalty but Sion only have until 11pm UK time on Monday to have the six included on their squad list to face Celtic.
Sion claim the court order should force the SFL to register their players but the league is now consulting with FIFA over which course of action to take. The club are due to face Basel on Saturday, before travelling to play Celtic on August 18 in the Europa League.
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