Athletic Club confident of signing Aymeric Laporte despite FIFA snub

Earlier this week, it was confirmed by FIFA that Athletic Club would not be able to register Aymeric Laporte’s signing until January, given that the necessary documentation did not arrive before the summer transfer window closes.

This would mean that Laporte, who has already agreed terms ahead of a return to San Mames, would not be eligible to play for Athletic during the first half of this season, which would be a major blow for Los Leones – not only because he is a quality player, but also as they are struggling for depth in the centre-back department.

However, Athletic have now given their reaction to FIFA’s decision, and according to Cadena Cope (via Marca), there is full confidence from the club’s offices that they will be able to register the Spain international in the next 15 days.

Speaking to Cadena Cope, journalist Joseba Larrañaga provided an update on matters from the perspective of those in Bilbao, with their belief being that “it is an act of malpractice: the person in charge of transferring the documentation to FIFA did not do it at the right time”.

Athletic will explore legal route to ensure Laporte registration

Athletic are able to appeal FIFA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and this is one legal route that they are prepared to explore. A case is said to be being readied by officials associated with the club.

If Laporte were to be registered in 15 days, his debut could be on the 22nd of September against Valencia. However, even if Athletic manage to solve this problem, they would not be able to count upon the defender for the league phase of the Champions League, given that he has not been registered as part of their squad for this stage of the competition.