Soccer-Villa win CAS appeal against FIFA block on registering 17-year-old Madjo


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Aston Villa v Real Sociedad - Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, Walsall, Britain - July 28, 2026 Aston Villa's Brian Madjo celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo

Aug 4 (Reuters) - Aston ⁠Villa can register forward Brian Madjo for ⁠official competitions after the Court of Arbitration ‌for Sport upheld their appeal against FIFA's block on playing the 17-year-old who joined from Metz, the Premier ​League side said on Tuesday.

England-born ⁠Madjo grew up in ⁠Luxembourg, who he played for three times last ⁠year ‌before representing England's U-17s.

The six-foot-four striker joined Villa in January for £10 million ($13.44 ⁠million) but FIFA, whose regulations limit the ​international transfer ‌of players under 18, blocked them from ⁠registering Madjo,arguing ​he was a Luxembourg international.

Europa League winners Villa appealed against FIFA's decision to CAS, arguing Madjowas ⁠born in England and was a ​UK citizen.

"The court’s decision today means that Brian will be registered as an Aston Villa player ⁠and eligible to play in official competition matches for the forthcoming season," Villa posted on X.

Madjo has scored four goals in pre-season so ​far, including two in ⁠Villa's opening friendly against Walsall.

Villa take on European ​champions Paris St Germain in ‌the UEFA Super Cup on ​August 12.

($1 = 0.7440 pounds)

(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read