Former Bandari head coach Mohamed Borji/HANDOUT
FIFA has imposed a transfer registration ban on SportPesa Premier League side Bandari FC after the club failed to settle a financial debt owed to former head coach Mohamed Borji.
The decision, communicated from FIFA headquarters in Zurich, has disrupted Bandari’s plans ahead of the new season. The club is now blocked from signing new players until it clears the outstanding payment.
In an official letter, FIFA stated: “The Respondent has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards the claimant Mohamed Borji.”
The global football body said it enforced the ban after Bandari failed to comply with an earlier order issued by the FIFA Football Tribunal’s Players’ Status Chamber.
The dispute dates back to the club’s decision to terminate Borji’s contract after only two months in charge. Although Bandari had agreed on a payment structure with the Moroccan coach, the club failed to honour the agreed instalments, forcing Borji to seek FIFA’s intervention.
Following the complaint, FIFA ordered Bandari to pay Borji “$6,483.87 as outstanding remuneration” and granted the club 45 days to clear the amount.
The club was also ordered to pay “US$22,500 as compensation for breach of contract.” However, after Bandari failed to meet the deadline, FIFA imposed sanctions.
In a letter signed by Américo Espallargas, Head of Disciplinary, FIFA confirmed: “A ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented on the Respondent.”
The ban also extends to domestic recruitment. FIFA added: “A ban from registering new players nationally has also been implemented on the Respondent.”
FIFA subsequently wrote to Football Kenya Federation, directing the local governing body to enforce the national registration ban on Bandari.
The communication stated: “The Football Kenya Federation implement on the Respondent the ban from registering new players at the national level.”
The restriction will remain in place until Bandari settles the full amount owed to Borji. FIFA warned that the ban could last for up to three consecutive registration periods, meaning the club could face an eighteen-month freeze on player recruitment if the matter is not resolved quickly.
However, the governing body clarified that the punishment can be lifted once they complete payment.
FIFA stated: “The ban shall be lifted immediately and before its complete serving upon the full payment of the amount due.”
Bandari now face pressure to resolve the dispute and restore their ability to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
