Benjamin Garré, born on July 11, 2000, signed a contract with Manchester City just one day after turning 16. Although City currently holds some favorable evidence—such as Garré holding an Italian passport and FIFA having approved the transfer at the time—the case has now escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to FIFA regulations, European clubs may sign players under the age of 18 only if the transfer occurs between clubs within Europe. However, for players from South American clubs, the minimum age for international transfers is 18. Since Garré joined City from Argentine club Vélez Sársfield in 2016 at just 16, the signing falls under scrutiny.
The CAS is expected to deliver a ruling within seven days. If the court finds Manchester City guilty of violating FIFA’s rules, the club could be hit with a transfer ban, preventing them from registering any new players during the upcoming summer window and January 2019. Such a ban would mean no new additions to the squad—a significant blow for a club with ambitions to maintain dominance both domestically and in Europe.
Ironically, this potential punishment surfaces just as Manchester City secured the Premier League title. While the team and fans were basking in the glow of their latest triumph, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon. A CAS spokesperson confirmed that the allegations were serious, stemming from Vélez Sársfield’s claim that City made illegal contact with Garré before he turned 16, a clear breach of FIFA’s youth protection policies.
Manchester City, however, still has the option to appeal the decision. An appeal would delay the enforcement of any transfer ban, giving the club precious time to continue bolstering its squad during the current transfer window.
This case underscores the growing complexity and legal sensitivity of international youth transfers. Just like in the global BD Cricket Match, where regulatory oversight is critical to fair play, football clubs are increasingly being held to higher ethical and procedural standards. Fans of both football and BD Cricket Match will be watching closely—not just for results on the field, but for how clubs operate off it.