Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Katsina United, is in troubled waters following sanctions imposed by the world football governing body, FIFA. Ballgist reports.
The club has been handed a three-registration window ban after FIFA’s player arbitration committee found Katsina United guilty of contractual dereliction involving both past and present players.
The ban, which FIFA stated began on 12 June, will last until three registration windows elapse.
This development poses significant challenges for the club, especially as several key players, including their Player of the Year Michael Ibe, Stephen Manyo, and Andrew Idoko, are set to leave the club.
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Katsina United unaware of any letter from FIFA
In response to FIFA’s ban, Acting Team Manager Auwal Abubakar told Ballgist Nig. that the letter supposedly sent by FIFA did not contain all the facts.
FIFA bans Katsina united from registering new players.
He stated that the team is in contact with the player who reported them to FIFA and is working towards an amicable resolution.
“Firstly, Katsina United has not received any official communication from FIFA regarding this matter. The purported letter was sent to a former member of the previous club management, not to the current management of Katsina United.,” Abubakar said.
“We have not received any correspondence with FIFA through our official email address.
“However, the current management has validated the matter by reaching out to the player and promised to settle the issue appropriately.
“It is important to note that the issue mentioned involving a foreign player, Mahamadou Salamoun Souley from Niger Republic, pertains to a previous management team.
“The former management failed to settle the player’s wages, leading him to seek justice through FIFA.
“The current management is actively working to resolve any outstanding issues inherited from the previous administration,” he added.
Katsina United, other African clubs, hammered by FIFA
FIFA has also listed clubs in other African countries that will suffer various forms of transfer bans. The affected clubs include Wydad Athletic Club, African Stars FC, Kiyovu Sports Association, Royal AM, TS Galaxy FC, DC Motema Pembe and TP Mazembe
Others include, Future FC, Al Masry, Zamalek SC, Horoya AC, Raja Club Athletic, Singida Big Stars FC, Tabora United, Club Africain, CS Sfaxien, Etoile du Sahel, US Monastir, Mbarara City FC, Buildcon FC, Indeni FC, and Lusaka Dynamos FC.
Last season, Katsina United finished seventh in the 20-team league, amassing 55 points from 38 matches.
