Aston Villa await CAS verdict on Brian Madjo after Walsall brace | OneFootball

Aston Villa are still waiting to learn if 17-year-old Brian Madjo can be registered, despite the striker scoring twice in a 5-0 friendly at Walsall.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, FIFA rejected his registration because he was moving from an overseas club, with rules barring international transfers of under-18s. The decision means Madjo cannot play competitively until his birthday in January 2027.

Villa have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a hearing in Switzerland earlier this month. The club are awaiting the ruling, so Madjo can play only in friendlies.

Villa argue he should be exempt because he was born in London and has played for England at youth level. He has also been capped three times by Luxembourg at senior level.

Tuesday was his first public outing since a £10 million January move from Metz. He outmuscled Declan Skura to turn in Kosta Nedeljkovic’s 24th-minute cross, then pounced when Emi Buendia’s effort deflected into his path before half-time.

George Hemmings struck between Madjo’s brace, with Luka Lynch and Aidan Borland on target after the interval. Hemmings, Lynch and Borland are candidates for loan moves later in the window.

Those involved at the World Cup have at least three weeks off, with John McGinn, Victor Lindelof and Evann Guessand due back before the Far East tour. Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emi Martinez are unlikely to return until the week of the European Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on 12 August.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com