Penarol appeal over PSG pair

Wednesday 2 November, 2005

Uruguayan club Penarol has announced it will appeal FIFA’s decision to rubber-stamp the transfers of Carlos Bueno and Cristian Rodriguez to Paris Saint-Germain.

The duo signed free-transfers to the capital club in the summer after claiming they were out of contract after going unpaid for three months.

However, Penarol demanded nearly £6m in transfer fees and damages, claiming that under South American football laws a club has a right to demand a transfer fee even after a player’s contract has expired.

FIFA’s ruling last week, to grant the duo the right to play for PSG, has set a precedent in South American football, similar to the Bosman ruling in Europe.

Penarol has taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and hasn’t ruled out taking civil action against the two players.