FC Sion lose appeal over transfer ban

The Swiss club FC Sion, who defied Fifa and Uefa statutes by taking a case over a transfer ban to the civil courts, have lost the latest round in their legal battle after an appeal went in favour of football's governing body.

Fifa said that the Valais cantonal court had ruled Sion can no longer field six players signed during the ban in the summer, a decision seen as a setback to the club's attempts to be reinstated to the Europa League through a separate lawsuit.

It could also leave Sion open to further sanctions and a possible loss of points from matches in which the players were fielded.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be available for League games today against Valencia and Real Zaragoza, respectively, after from international duty. Ronaldo has shaken off a leg injury while Barça manager Pep Guardiola said Messi, who only returned on Thursday, should be ready.