Man City avoids transfer ban for signing young players

ZURICH (AP) — Manchester City has been fined for improperly signing young soccer players but avoided a ban on transfers.

FIFA says the fact that the English champion “accepted its responsibility” for breaking transfer rules was a factor in the choice to fine it 370,000 Swiss francs ($380,000).

FIFA says City broke rules on transfers for players aged under 18, but didn’t specify exactly what the club had done wrong and how many players were involved.

In March, FIFA handed Chelsea a ban on signing players for the next two transfer windows after finding the club had broken the same regulations.