FIFA lifts transfer ban imposed on ISL outfit Kerala Blasters

The southerners released an official statement announcing the removal of the decision.

ISL outfit Kerala Blasters have announced that FIFA have officially lifted the transfer ban imposed on them. The Blasters are now looking forward to the upcoming season with new head coach Ivan Vukomanovic at the helm.

FIFA sent a letter to the Kerala Blasters on June 7, stating that the club is banned from signing any player in the upcoming window for failing to clear the remaining salary of Matej Poplatnik.

The FIFA player status committee made the correspondence, before handing the matter over to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) - who forwarded the letter to the club on the same day.

It was a matter of concern for the club, who were waiting for new inclusions for the upcoming season. However, Kerala Blasters acted swiftly and cleared all the dues of the Slovenian forward in the allocated time. As a result, the ban imposed on the club was lifted by FIFA.

Poplatnik joined Kerala Blasters in 2018 and there were high hopes from the Slovenian striker. However, he failed to live up to the expectations as he scored only four goals in 16 appearances in the 2018-19 season.

Kerala Blasters also had a very underwhelming 2018-19 season as they finished at the ninth position in the standings. Later, the club sent him on a loan at Kaposvári Rákóczi FC in Hungary, where he managed to make only six appearances. The 28-year-old has since joined Scottish Premiership outfit Livingston FC.

The Blasters will now look to bring in foreign reinforcements as they prepare for the upcoming 2021-22 season. They have released all of their overseas players from the previous campaign, which will ensure a new look team under Ivan Vukomanovic.

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