Sion rebuffed in their Swiss legal battle

Swiss club FC Sion sustained a major defeat yesterday in its legal battles against football authorities over six players it signed despite a FIFA transfer ban.

A cantonal (state) court ruled in favour of FIFA and the Swiss Football League in an appeal case judgment that denies Sion’s players the right to be registered.

League president Thomas Grimm said the verdict is a “victory for not only the league, but FIFA and UEFA also.”

FIFA said the court in Sion overturned the interim decision “in its entirety.”

Yesteday’s ruling also will be welcomed at UEFA, which is set to meet Sion at the Court of Arbitration for Sport next Thursday in a dispute over the club’s expulsion from the Europa League.