Mohammedan Sporting Club slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA

Mohammedan Sporting are sinking amid debt, sanctions, and a lack of financial support

ISL 2024-25 debutants Mohammedan Sporting Club are facing one of the toughest phases in their history. The club is in serious trouble due to unpaid dues, lack of support from investors, and back-to-back bans from both FIFA and AIFF.

On July 3, 2025, FIFA officially banned the Kolkata club from registering any new players, both in India and abroad. This ban came because the club failed to pay their former player, Kasimov Mirjalol.

FIFA made it clear that the ban will stay in place until the full amount is paid. It could last for up to three transfer windows.

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Crisis deepens for Mohammedan SC

The FIFA ban came just hours after the club had cleared a ₹24 lakh payment to lift a separate AIFF-imposed suspension. That initial ban was related to another case of financial mismanagement, reportedly caused by confusion over obligations from earlier agreements.

Speaking to Extra Time Bangla, Mohammedan Sporting secretary Istiyak Ahmed Raju confirmed, “We had to pay ₹24 lakh from the club’s funds as the promised amount was not paid by the investors. And by evening, FIFA’s ban hit us again due to pending dues to another player. It’s a very difficult situation.”

This double blow has pushed the club into uncharted territory, with serious implications for its preparations for both the Indian football season and the ongoing Calcutta Football League, where they are still allowed to compete—for now.

Investor Fallout and Administrative Failure

The roots of the crisis trace back to the departure of the Shrachi Group, the club’s primary investor. Since their exit, Mohammedan Sporting have struggled to stay financially afloat. Promises made by previous backers remain unfulfilled, leaving the club to foot the bill with limited resources.

The club reportedly sent a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) at the end of June, seeking support or settlement options. So far, no official response has been issued.

The result is a growing sense of uncertainty around the squad, coaching staff, and thousands of loyal fans.

Worryingly, this isn’t the first time the Mohammedan SC have found themselves entangled in financial chaos. Earlier this year, they were sanctioned for failing to pay former coach Andrey Chernyshov, with a 45-day payment deadline from May 30. That deadline, too, passed without resolution.

What lies ahead for Mohammedan Sporting?

At this point, Mohammedan Sporting cannot rely on nostalgia or past glories to shield themselves from scrutiny. They urgently need a financial rescue plan, one that includes fresh investments and a professionalised administration.

A potential solution lies in attracting a new investment group that is willing to clear the pending dues and rebuild the football project from the ground up. Without this, even domestic competition could soon become out of reach.

Importantly, the club must commit to transparent accounting, timely payment of salaries, and open communication with both fans and football authorities. Any delay in reform could lead to more sanctions, or worse, exclusion from future competitions.

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