Al Nassr, one of the Saudi Pro League’s most prominent teams, has been hit with a transfer registration ban by FIFA. The ban comes as a result of a dispute between Al Nassr and Leicester City, the 2016 Premier League champions. The Middle East club made headlines last January when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo, which sparked a wave of high-profile players joining the Gulf nation.
The issue at hand revolves around Al Nassr’s failure to pay Leicester the money owed in add-ons after signing Ahmed Musa in 2018 for a transfer fee of £14 million. It has been reported that the recently relegated Foxes are owed £390,000 in add-ons, and Al Nassr has yet to settle the debt.
FIFA initially released a ruling in 2021, stating that Al Nassr must comply with their financial obligations or face a transfer registration ban. The ban, which prevents the club from registering new players, will last for three windows. This means that Al Nassr’s plans to bring in Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech and Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi for the summer transfer window have been scuppered.
The owners of Al Nassr, the Public Investment Fund, have assured FIFA that they will promptly pay Leicester the money owed in order to lift the ban. However, until the debt is settled, Al Nassr will be unable to make any new signings.
Ahmed Musa’s time at Leicester was largely unsuccessful. The Nigerian forward was signed by the Foxes in 2016 for a then-club record fee of £16.6 million but failed to make a significant impact. After scoring just two goals in 21 Premier League games, Musa was loaned back to CSKA Moscow. He then made the move to Al Nassr, where he scored 14 goals in 62 matches and helped the team win the 2019 league title. Musa recently returned to Europe, signing for Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk after a brief stint with Kano Pillars in his homeland.
The ban imposed on Al Nassr serves as a reminder of the importance of financial responsibility in the world of football. Clubs must honor their financial commitments to other teams, and failure to do so can result in severe consequences. In this case, Al Nassr’s ambitions to strengthen their squad with new signings have been put on hold until they settle their debt with Leicester.
The ban also highlights the growing influence and attractiveness of the Saudi Pro League. With clubs like Al Nassr able to attract high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo, it is clear that the league is becoming a destination for top talent. However, this incident serves as a reminder that financial stability and fair play are crucial for the continued growth and success of the league.
As Al Nassr works to resolve the dispute with Leicester and lift the transfer registration ban, they will need to ensure that they meet their financial obligations in a timely manner. The club’s owners have expressed their commitment to paying the owed money promptly, and it remains to be seen how quickly the issue will be resolved.
In conclusion, Al Nassr’s transfer registration ban serves as a reminder of the importance of financial responsibility in football. The club’s failure to pay Leicester the money owed has resulted in severe consequences, preventing them from registering new players. As they work to resolve the dispute and lift the ban, Al Nassr must prioritize meeting their financial obligations to ensure the continued growth and success of the Saudi Pro League.