FIFA imposes three-window transfer ban on Punjab FC for uncleared dues

The I-League outfit failed to process the payment of North Macedonian player Hristijan Denskovski.

Round Glass-owned I-League side Punjab FC have been dealt with a huge blow after being handed a transfer ban for three windows following non-payment to North Macedonian player Hristijan Denkovski.

The incident took place in August last year when Ranjit Bajaj was still a decision maker at the club. The transfer ban is handed by FIFA’s Decision Resolution Chamber (DRC) after hearing arguments from both the sides. The DRC gave the judgement in favour of the player on February 13, ordering to pay the dues in the next 45 days.

However, Round Glass, who had taken over the club till then, failed to do so and subsequently on 31st March 2020, the DRC imposed a transfer ban on the club. Now, the apex footballing body has asked the club to pay the player $18,000 worth his dues as well as five percent penalty on it to get the ban revoked.

Denkovski had signed a contract with the then Minerva Punjab FC, that was supposed to begin from September 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, reported IANS. Thereafter, on 6th August, the player was informed that his contract was terminated and declared null and void.  

When Khel Now contacted Ranjit Bajaj to speak about the issue, he said, “The player did not report to the club despite the air tickets provided to him. After that, our pre-season started and we did not want to take a risk, so we signed another player. But as per FIFA rules, even if the player doesn’t report to the club, the club is bound to pay the salary because the rules favours the players.”

He also added the current Punjab FC owners were made aware when the decision came in March and they duly agreed. “During the share transfer agreement with Punjab FC, we made it very clear that any liability arising from the previous entity shall be borne by the new entity and if there’s any failure to pay it the consequences will also be borne by new entity.”

“Pratham Basu, an employee of Punjab FC, contacted the player’s representative to pay his dues but never paid it,” said Bajaj. When Khel Now tried to contact Punjab FC official Pratham Basu to tell us his perspective on the matter, he wasn't available to comment.