CAS Allows Aston Villa To Register 17-Year-Old Brian Madjo

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld Aston Villa’s appeal against FIFA’s decision blocking the registration of 17-year-old forward Brian Madjo. The ruling allows the England-born player to register for official competitions before he turns 18. FIFA had relied on its rules restricting the international transfer of players below 18.

Madjo joined Aston Villa from French club FC Metz on January 12, 2026, for a reported fee of around £10 million. He was born in England and holds UK citizenship, but grew up in Luxembourg, where he represented the country three times in 2025 before switching to England’s Under-17 side.

Aston Villa challenged FIFA’s decision before CAS. The club argued that Madjo’s birth in England and UK citizenship were relevant to his registration. The appeal was particularly significant because Madjo’s move was from France to England. The CAS hearing took place on July 1, 2026, with the tribunal subsequently upholding Villa’s appeal on August 4, 2026.

FIFA’s Rules On Transfers Of Minors

Article 19 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) generally prohibits the international transfer of players under the age of 18. The rule applies to an international transfer based on a change of football association, rather than the player’s nationality. Article 19 contains limited exceptions, including provisions for certain transfers involving players aged between 16 and 18.

One such exception under Article 19.2(b) applies where the transfer takes place within the European Union or European Economic Area, or between two associations within the same country, subject to requirements concerning the player’s football training, education and welfare. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, a France-to-England transfer cannot rely on the EU/EEA limb of this exception, while the same-country limb is also inapplicable.

CAS Ruling

On August 4, 2026, CAS ultimately upheld Aston Villa’s appeal, allowing Madjo to be registered and participate in official competitions. Aston Villa stated that the ruling meant Madjo would be registered as its player and eligible to play in official matches during the forthcoming season.

Thereafter, on August 12, 2026, Madjo made his competitive debut for Aston Villa against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup and scored. He became the youngest scorer in the competition’s history, at 17 years and 212 days.