Liverpool were fined £100,000 and banned from signing academy players for two years. How will the ban affect the Merseyside club?
The Premier League board dropped the hammer on the Liverpool academy with a two-year transfer ban and a £100,000 fine, per the BBC.
The ban comes after Liverpool and Stoke held discussions regarding the transfer of a 12-year-old academy player in September of 2016. The two sides agreed on transfer terms, but the board stepped in and rejected the move.
The board launched an investigation immediately following the rejection. In the investigation, the board found Liverpool committed multiple violations of recent regulations (Rule 299.1).
Liverpool were found to have met with the player and his family, financing a trip to Anfield, before being given the go ahead.
Additionally, the Reds offered to cover schooling costs of the youngster, a luxury in which the academy would have to provide for all youth players according to the new rule changes.
The Reds have acknowledged the violation and accepted repercussions.
What does this mean for Liverpool?
While the ban does nothing to affect the first-team squad, Steven Gerrard’s academy will suffer.
Liverpool will be prevented from making transfers for any academy players entered in the Premier League system within the last 18 months, for two years. The second year of the ban will be suspended for three years with the findings of additional violations by the Reds.
Many players have recently come up through their sides’ academies, most recently Tom Davies at Everton. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool legend and current academy coach, was a Liverpool academy graduate himself.
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Whereas Liverpool will not have a shortage of academy players, the team will not be allowed to add any previously signed academy players for two years.
As of Jan. 31, the Reds listed 40 players playing for the U18 and U16 academy squads. Liverpool also carries 26 players on the U23 squad (four on loan).