FIFA ruling provides key evidence for Esteghlal regarding Yasser Asani

A document containing FIFA’s response to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has emerged, potentially resolving the legal dispute regarding Albanian player Yasser Asani and Esteghlal FC.

In clause 48 of the response, FIFA clarified that players who were registered with a club during the previous sporting season do not qualify as ‘new players,’ even if their previous contracts have expired, been terminated, or had their registration canceled. This distinction is critical for Esteghlal, as the club argued that a transfer ban would prevent them from re-registering players like Asani or Didie Ndong after contract terminations.

The ruling suggests that because Asani was previously registered with the club, his re-registration would not be subject to the restrictions placed on new player acquisitions. This provides a legal basis for the club to defend the legality of his participation despite previous contract disputes.