FIFA has amplified its rule regulating the transfer of minors with an addition to Article 19 of its Regulations on the Transfer of Players, according to Joaquín Maroto of AS. FIFA is establishing stricter conditions "for football schools for foreign youth players -- principally Chinese -- that have proliferated in Spanish football." This is being done to "specifically monitor Villarreal, Valencia, Atlético and Real Madrid's academies." The new rule "will take effect immediately." In addition to the three conditions already established by article 19, there will now be requirements for "founding football schools like those already in place in Spain." One of the primary requirements is that "clubs will have to notify FIFA of the presence of minors in agreement with article 19, except for those clubs without economic relationships with the football academies." Violating the new FIFA regulations "will carry the same sanctions as the current penalties for violating article 19, which range from a loss of points to being prohibited from signing players" (AS, 5/5).
