1. FC Köln may sign players

Despite the FIFA penalty, 1. FC Köln will be able to sign players next summer. As the club announced on Friday evening, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS had temporarily suspended the imposed transfer ban. Until a verdict in the appeal process, the FC is “capable of action”.

The club wrote that it cannot be said when a final judgment can be expected.

“The CAS decision on the suspension of the transfer ban is important for us. Now we can become active on the transfer market within the scope of our options, which are limited by the economic consolidation,” said FC Managing Director Christian Keller: “At the same time, we know that the penalty suspension is only is a first step towards avoiding the transfer ban. We will therefore continue to work hard to avert the FIFA verdict completely.”

World governing body FIFA had banned the Cologne team from signing new players for the next two periods. The reason is the transfer of the then 16-year-old Slovenian Jaka Cuber Potocnik, who unilaterally terminated his contract with Olimpija Ljubljana in January 2022 and came to Cologne on a free transfer. The Slovenians accused FC of inciting a breach of contract and complained to FIFA.

In addition to the transfer ban, the four-month ban against Potocnik will also be suspended. Leart Paqarada’s commitment, which was made at the beginning of January, is valid. The left-back is allowed to switch from FC St. Pauli to FC in the summer and is therefore also eligible to play.

The possibility of transfers in the summer is also important for the Cologne team because two of the most important players will leave the club. Captain Jonas Hector is retiring, midfield boss Ellyes Skhiri is unlikely to renew his contract.