Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln is allowed to sign players next summer despite the FIFA penalty. As the club announced on Friday evening, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has temporarily suspended the transfer ban imposed. Until a verdict in the appeal process, the FC is thus "capable of acting". It is not possible to say when a final verdict can be expected, the club wrote.

"Can become active in the transfer market"

"The CAS's decision to suspend the transfer ban is important for us. Now we can become active in the transfer market within the scope of our limited possibilities due to economic consolidation," said FC managing director Christian Keller: "At the same time, we know 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 ruling."

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

In addition to the transfer ban, the four-month match ban against Potocnik will also be suspended. The signing of Leart Paqarada at the beginning of January has been upheld. The left-back will be allowed to move from FC St. Pauli to FC in the summer and will also be eligible to play.

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