OFFICIAL: FIFA bans 7 clubs in a single day

FIFA has issued player registration bans against 7 clubs in just one day, among them a club that took part in the Europa Conference League two years prior.

FIFA applied player registration restrictions in various forms, including complete bans on player registrations, prohibitions on transfers or loans, as well as imposing limits related to transaction fees.

In England, this season has seen several such cases. Hull City in the Championship is restricted to signing only free agents due to unsettled transfer debts. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday (currently facing financial difficulties) can only recruit players without incurring any fees. Their sole signing this summer was defender Harry Amass from Manchester United on loan, with all costs including salary and living expenses in Yorkshire covered by MU. In fact, there are many lesser-known cases worldwide where clubs have been sanctioned by FIFA with registration or transfer bans.

According to the player registration ban list released by FIFA, the global football authority was particularly busy on October 3rd, adding 7 new clubs to the list.

Among them is Turkey’s Adana Demirspor, who participated in the Europa Conference League qualifiers in the 2023/24 season. The club was relegated last season due to financial violations and is currently docked 18 points in the second division. After 8 opening matches this season, Adana has drawn once, lost seven times, conceded 31 goals, and is now 25 points behind the safety zone.

Besides Adana, Lynx FC (Gibraltar), FK Tukums (Latvia), and Eyupspor (Turkey, formerly coached by ex-Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan) are also banned from player registration. The other three clubs come from South America, Africa, and Asia: Alfonso Ugarte (Peru), Khaleej Sirte SC (Libya), and Mohammedan Sporting Club (India).

FIFA did not specify the exact reasons for these sanctions, whether they are merely administrative issues (often lifted once resolved) or involve more serious violations. Among them, Eyupspor and FK Tukums have indefinite bans, while the other five clubs face bans for the next three transfer windows.

Earlier this year, four Welsh clubs—Penybont, Pontypridd United, Colwyn Bay, and Newport County—were also added to FIFA’s ban list. For Newport, competing in England’s fourth tier, the ban resulted from failure to pay training compensation to another EFL club over a young player, despite their claim that the fee was paid. Of these four, only Penybont remains on FIFA’s ban list to date.

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