Brian Madjo

[cdbearsfan]

If Man United had signed him, there is zero chance he wouldn't have been registered by now. English player not able to sign for an English club is nonsense.

[paul_e]

I'm not sure about that, I think if you asked most people if a law around signing teenagers from abroad would impact a lad who plays (at age level) for the nation he's moving to and is a full citizen of that country they'd say of course it doesn't, because that makes no sense.

I for one knew the rule existed but given he was born in the UK and plays for England it never would've occurred to me that he wouldn't be able to be registered, that just seems like a mistake in the rules. He's English, of course he should be able to register to play for an English club at an appropriate age group and the regulation as it was written was clearly never intended to stop a transfer like this.

[cdbearsfan]

The second time this year a completely arbitrary and pointless rule has fucked over the career of a young Villa player.

Meanwhile there is still no rule to prevent teams who are a billon quid in debt signing whoever the fuck they want.

[Dave]

I'm not sure about that, I think if you asked most people if a law around signing teenagers from abroad would impact a lad who plays (at age level) for the nation he's moving to and is a full citizen of that country they'd say of course it doesn't, because that makes no sense.

I for one knew the rule existed but given he was born in the UK and plays for England it never would've occurred to me that he wouldn't be able to be registered, that just seems like a mistake in the rules. He's English, of course he should be able to register to play for an English club at an appropriate age group and the regulation as it was written was clearly never intended to stop a transfer like this.

It does seem like an oversight in the rules and exception (6) along the lines of "the player has spent x amount of time in the country of his new club already in his life" is a pretty obvious thing that should be added so that things like this don't happen.

But given that it isn't in the rules at the moment, it's nobody's fault but our own that we didn't think to check before signing him.

[aj2k77]

 Very amateurish.

[Drummond]

The Louis Barry move now wouldn't be allowed in the way it did.

[paul_e]

I'd take it further than that, I'd go so far as to say FIFA should have no jurisdiction at all to stop someone seeking work in any country they have citizenship in. It's so obviously not something they have authority to do that I can totally understand why it would get missed.

[Concrete Tom]

I'd take it further than that, I'd go so far as to say FIFA should have no jurisdiction at all to stop someone seeking work in any country they have citizenship in. It's so obviously not something they have authority to do that I can totally understand why it would get missed.

There are many rules and restrictions within football that could be legally challenged if there is any inclination.

[Duncan Shaw]

I must admit I'm surprised we aren't appealing this, as it seems a unique set of circumstances.

[Mister E]

Well, he'll be like a new signing when he turns 18 ...