FIFA, the world football governing body, has imposed a transfer ban on DStv Premiership side Polokwane City.
The ban stems from a dispute with former player Khuda Muyaba, who terminated his contract with the club in March 2023 after several months without pay.
Muyaba, a Malawian international, joined Rise and Shine in January 2020 on a three-year contract. However, he terminated his contract in March 2023, citing a breach of contract by the club for failing to pay his salary.
FIFA has ruled that Polokwane City breached Muyaba’s contract and has imposed a transfer ban on the club until the dispute is resolved. This is the latest in a series of transfer bans imposed on DStv Premiership clubs by FIFA.
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Earlier this month, Chippa United was banned from registering new players for failing to pay Tanzanian international Abdi Banda. Royal AM is also under a transfer ban for failing to pay a R12-million debt to a former player.
Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows were also both subjected to transfer bans in recent years for breaching the contracts of former players.
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Polokwane City can not strengthen their squad during the upcoming January transfer window. The club has been informed of the ban by FIFA and will need to settle the dispute with Muyaba before it can register new players.
This is a significant blow for Polokwane City, who are currently eighth in the PSL table, just seven points above the relegation zone. Ahead of the second round of the DStv Premiership, City may be looking to bolster their squad after doing little business during the transfer window. The club hopes to resolve the issue with Muyaba as soon as possible to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle.
FIFA’s transfer bans are designed to protect players from unfair treatment by clubs. The bans are also a way of ensuring that clubs adhere to their contractual obligations.