The Swiss soccer league federation has given FC Sion a 36-point punishment for fielding ineligible players despite an transfer embargo.

Bern / NationalTurk – The Swiss football federation announced Friday that the penalty move against Swiss league side FC Sion came in response to FIFA’s threat to suspend Switzerland on international and club teams basis from world soccer.

The Swiss club were put under a transfer embargo over the signing of Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in 2009, but proceeded to sign six players in the summer.

FIFA demanded that Sion be penalized three points for every game in which ineligible players were fielded during the current season. The world soccer governing body said failure to do so by Jan. 14 would result in Swiss teams, including FC Basel, being banned from international play.

Sion stripped 36 points to save Swiss Football

Sion have now been docked three points for each of the 12 Swiss league and cup matches any one of the six ineligible players appeared in. They had been third in the Swiss top flight with 31 points prior to the sanction.

Sion had lodged a “criminal complaint” against FIFA’s executive committee over their ultimatum to the SFV.

Basel is due to meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16 on Feb. 22

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