THE SWISS FOOTBALL association (SFV) have today docked Sion a massive 36 points for fielding ineligible players.
The association was facing a possible FIFA ban – meaning their clubs would be excluded from all competitions – if they failed to act on the matter.
Sion were kicked out of the Europa League by UEFA earlier this season after fielding players they had signed during a transfer embargo.
FIFA then told the SFV that there would be a ban on Swiss football if punishment was not handed down by 13 January.
In the meantime, Basle beat Manchester United to a Champions League knockout stage place – but the subsequent threat against Swiss authorities gave those in Old Trafford some faint hope of an unlikely reprieve.
That hope has now evaporated however as Sion have now been docked three points for each of the 12 Swiss league and cup matches in which any one of the six ineligible players appeared.
“The central board of the SFV has withdrawn 36 points from Super League club FC Sion. The board has therefore met the requirements of FIFA from December 17, 2011,” an SFV said in a statement.
UEFA’s decision to expel Sion from the Europa League group phase and admit Celtic instead was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this month.
The Swiss FA ban is now subject to ratification form FIFA.
