A report in Spain is suggesting that Athletic Bilbao may turn to FIFA’s rules and regulations in an attempt to block Javi Martinez’ move to Bayern Munich.
The Germans are understood to be on the verge of completing a deal for the midfielder, after reportedly offering €40m to trigger the player’s release clause.
In Spain, it is a regulation that all players must have an automatic rescission clause in their contract that, if met by another club, can allow the player to hold negotiations on a possible transfer.
However, Athletic are understood to be considering a loophole in FIFA’s Article 17 ruling that may fall in their favour.
This regulation is generally in favour of players looking to buy themselves out of their contracts after a certain period, but it also rules that players cannot do so within the first three years of signing their deal, if they are aged below 28.
Martinez, who turns 24 in September, signed his current Athletic contract with the €40m release clause in April 2011.
El Correo subsequently allege that the club consider that the player’s move to Bayern – if attempted without Athletic’s consent – can be ruled illegal, because it is less than three years since the contract with the clause in place was signed.
