The Court of Arbitration has ruled that Lazio have to pay Velez $1.05 million

Mauro Zarate was trained by Velez Sarsfield between the ages of 12 to 23 years old and therefore had a clause in the future sale of the striker in the contract he had at Al Sadd. Velez's press release was published in Ole and read: "Velez Sarsfield Athletic Club announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), on the establishment of the rights of training player Mauro Zarate who was 'born' in the youth team of Velez, in which Lazio will pay the sum of $1,050,000 within 30 days".

Lazio have already appealed the ruling claiming that they were in the dark as Lazio had their own buy-out clause which they exercised with Al Sadd therefore did not 'purchase' the player as the original clause states.

It is thought that this could open the doors for future cases involving Argentines at different clubs in Europe and worldwide.

(Giannino Capaldi)