Marseille and Pape Gueye both face stiff punishments over disputed Watford deal, per report
Senegal international gets 4-month ban, 2 transfer windows for OM and a fine
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Olympique de Marseille have been hit with a two-window transfer ban and a $2.8 million fine by FIFA after Watford FC filed a legal complaint over their signing of midfielder Pape Gueye in 2020, according to L'Equipe.
La FIFA, outre la suspension de Pape Gueye pour 4 mois et une indemnité à verser à Watford, a sanctionné l'OM d'une interdiction de recrutement pour deux mercatos. Le club phocéen va faire appel. Il sera vraisemblablement suspensif https://t.co/TDtY0Hbg2X pic.twitter.com/nUuSkl7nt6
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) January 15, 2022
Per the French sports publication, the Senegal international will be suspended for four months and was already withdrawn at the last minute for Africa Cup of Nations duty while OM will be unable to do business this coming summer and will have to pay the Premier League club compensation.
Should Marseille appeal the decision, as expected, that should provide temporary relief of between three to six months which might enable the Ligue 1 giants to do business at the end of this season before missing next January and the following summer, should their appeal be denied.
However, Watford were reportedly looking for closer to $11.5 million and the Hornets have also gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which could see Marseille sanctioned further before this matter reaches a close.
French football expert @Jon_LeGossip gives us his view on new signing Pape Gueye 🇫🇷
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 1, 2020
Gueye, 22, arrived at Stade Velodrome in the summer of 2020 despite having been officially announced by the Hornets after leaving formative side Le Havre Athletic Club after a messy affair which involved two different agents -- Bakari Sanogo and Pierre-Henri Bovis.
Marseille are expected to officially communicate on the matter shortly.
