Aurelio To Pay $5.25 Million to Fenerbahçe

It looks like Fenerbahçe will receive payment for the transfer of Mehmet Aurelio after all. The Conflict Resolution Committee of the Turkish Football Federation has ruled that Aurelio must pay his former club $5.25 million. Aurelio left the club to sign with Spanish side Real Betis last summer, although Fener originally received no transfer payment from Aurelio's current club.

Due to a legal loophole in his contract, Aurelio left Fenerbahçe to sign with Real Betis last summer, even though it appeared he was still contractually bound to the Canaries. It was initially ruled that Aurelio's contract was valid only in Türkiye, meaning he could sign with another club outside of the country with no penalty. Fener also received no transfer fee payment from Real Betis for the move last summer.

Now the committee has ruled that Aurelio will pay his former club $5.25 million. Aurelio will likely appeal the decision with the committee, further delaying the legal battle that has been on-going for nearly a year. Aurelio has yet to issue a personal statement on the committee's decision this week.