According to the Bundesliga club, the International Sports Court of Justice Cas has suspended the transfer ban against 1. FC Köln until the appeal decision. “This means that FC is able to act in preparation for the 2023/24 season,” said the Cologne team on Friday evening. It is “not yet possible to predict” when the appeal judgment can be expected.
The background is the transfer dispute between FC and NK Olimpija Ljubljana over storm talent Jaka Cuber Potocnik. At the end of March, the world association Fifa imposed a transfer ban for two change periods and a penalty payment for alleged misconduct by the Bundesliga club when signing the 17-year-old youngster in January 2022. On the other hand, both Cologne and the Slovenian club, which demands higher compensation, and Potocnik himself were pulled in front of the Cas.
“The transfer ban against FC does not initially apply after the suspension of the penalty by Cas,” wrote the Cologne team. “The same applies to the judgment against Jaka Potocnik. The youngster’s four-month suspension is also suspended.” FC managing director Christian Keller said the decision was “important for us. Now we can become active on the transfer market within the scope of our options, which are limited by economic consolidation.”
The club knows, however, “that the penalty suspension is only a first step towards preventing the transfer ban. We will therefore continue to work hard to completely avert the Fifa verdict.” Leart Paqarada (28) was signed in early January. The left-back may move from FC St. Pauli to Cologne in the summer and will also be eligible to play.
