FIFA imposes transfer ban on Hyderabad FC 'again'

First ban was handed on November 2022

As per a report in The Times of India, Hyderabad FC of the Indian Super League finds itself on the receiving end of a transfer ban by the world governing body for football, FIFA. This is the second transfer ban handed out to the ISL Trophy 2021-22 winners following their first ban in November of 2022 after failing to clear salaries and pending dues. 

In November last year, FIFA went on to bar Hyderabad FC from registering new players into the roster over a contractual dispute with Spain’s Nestor Gordillo. Apparently, several high-profile figures such as former players Bartholomew Ogbeche, Borja Herrera, Odei Onainda and former head coach Manolo Marquez are all owed wages by Hyderabad FC. 

Furthermore, coaching staff members Jose Barroso (Strength & Conditioning) and Benito Montalvo (Assistant Coach) are actively contemplating knocking on FIFA’s doors if their dues continue to be left uncleared by Hyderabad FC.  

FIFA’s statement

The statement regarding Hyderabad FC’s transfer ban indicated that “FIFA can confirm that the club in question is currently serving a registration ban in the application of Article 24 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. The said ban will be lifted upon payment of the relevant amount.”

According to AIFF sources, the transfer ban handed out to Hyderabad FC is due to the unpaid dues of Bartholomew Ogbeche. Similar to the Nigerian forward, several former figures who played a crucial part in HFC’s success are yet to receive their complete dues.

As the transfer window opens in January 2024, the transfer ban does not affect the ability of Hyderabad FC to sign and register new players immediately. However, the club would like to resolve the issue of pending dues on priority and get the ban overturned by FIFA as soon as possible. 

The club’s form in the ongoing 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League is not ideal after failing to secure a win in any of their first six matches, the hierarchy cannot afford another issue hampering morale in the squad.

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