Aston Villa still awaiting Brian Madjo ruling after teenager’s Walsall brace | OneFootball

Aston Villa are awaiting a ruling on the registration of 17-year-old Brian Madjo, who hit a brace in the 5-0 win at Walsall. ExpressAndStar.com reports that Fifa blocked his registration under rules on international transfers of under-18s, and Villa have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A hearing was held in Switzerland earlier this month. For now he can play only in friendlies and, without a change, would be ineligible for competitive action until his next birthday in January 2027.

Fifa rejected the application because he was joining from an overseas club. Villa argue he should be exempt as he was born in London and has represented England at youth level, while he already has three senior caps for Luxembourg.

Tuesday’s outing was his first public appearance since a £10million January move from Metz, where he made five French First Division appearances last season. He overpowered Declan Skura to turn in Kosta Nedeljkovic’s 24th-minute cross past Jed Ward, then reacted first when Emi Buendia’s effort deflected into his path on the stroke of half-time.

Teenagers George Hemmings, Luka Lynch and Aidan Borland also scored in the opening pre-season fixture at Bescot.

World Cup returnees John McGinn, Victor Lindelof and Evann Guessand are due back before the Far East tour, while Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emi Martinez are unlikely to return until the week of the European Super Cup on 12 August.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com