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Chivas asks Liga MX to clarify FIFA transfer rules for clubs

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Chivas sporting director Jaime Ordiales has asked the Mexican federation and Liga MX authorities to help clear up the situation surrounding the possible breach of transfer regulations by Liga MX clubs.

ESPN FC reported last week that Mexican clubs may be breaking Article 19 of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players by signing minors from the United States and registering them with the Mexican federation. It is a practice that is widespread and has gone on for years.

"We've put it in the hands of the federation," said Ordiales, adding he has spoken to leading figures from the Liga MX about the issue. "To say that we can't register Mexican-American or players of dual nationality that are born in the United States and are Mexicans seems a little difficult to understand."

ESPN's investigation revealed that the Mexican federation had informally advised Liga MX clubs not to register minors from the United States due to a possible infringement of Article 19. Chivas took heed and didn't register players from the U.S. Those players were subsequently left in limbo, training in Guadalajara, but not playing official games.

"That's exactly why," said one of the minors contacted by ESPN when asked if fear of FIFA repercussions was the reason he had not been registered. "If Chivas were to register me and my other two teammates from the U.S., I believe FIFA would fine Chivas or punish them in some way, so they don't want to risk it."

Ordiales accepted that it is a situation that only FIFA can resolve, but stressed the Mexican federation needs to push the governing organization on the issue to make sure the rules are clear.

"It's not just a situation for Chivas," he said. "It is a situation for Mexican football, for many teams."

On Thursday, FIFA responded to two separate ESPN requests for clarification, saying this: "Please understand that we are not in a position to comment regarding any investigation in progress so that the process is not compromised.

"Nor can we offer any comment as to whether an investigation is taking place or not."

Decio de Maria, president of the Mexican federation, has accepted that the practice "appears a violation," as the rule is written, but told ESPN FC that he considers the flow of Mexican-American youth to Liga MX clubs and the sheer quantity of Mexican citizens in the United States a special case.

The one-year transfer ban imposed on Barcelona by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee, for violations of Article 19, and upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) took into consideration the signing of minors retroactively. Article 19 came into force in 2003.

The article states that "international transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18," except for certain exceptions.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to ESPN on Thursday: "We are not in a position to comment on any investigations that are ongoing so as to not compromise the process, nor do we provide any comments as to whether or not any investigations are under way."

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