Athletic Bilbao have been banned from registering new players for the next three transfer windows, it has been confirmed.
The sanction comes after Athletic Club were placed on FIFA’s official Registration Bans list, which monitors teams temporarily restricted from signing players.
FIFA explains that the list “includes clubs that are temporarily banned from registering new players due to various infractions, such as financial disputes or regulatory non-compliance.”
The restriction will apply across the summer 2026, winter 2027, and summer 2027 windows. As a result, Bilbao would only be eligible to register new signings from winter 2028.
Football’s governing body has not disclosed the precise reason behind Athletic’s inclusion.
From the club’s side, Athletic insist the matter is not serious, describing it as “a mere formality, a minor matter that will have no further impact.” Sources added: “It’s a disagreement over some rights to a player that will be resolved in the coming hours.”
