World football governing body FIFA has prohibited Kenyan football team AFC Leopards from signing new players for the next two transfer windows.
The ban comes after the team failed to comply with a 45-day ultimatum from the body of clearing a Ksh 1.8 million debt owed to Rwandan midfielder Vincent Habamahoro. The ultimatum was issued early this year.
“We take due note that in its correspondence, he (Habamahoro) informs us that the (AFC Leopards) has not complied with its financial obligations in accordance with the decision of Fifa,” said a statement from FIFA.
“We wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by Fifa at the beginning of the next registration period.
“Moreover, and in accordance with point 9 of the aforementioned decision, debtor’s member association (Football Kenya Federation) is requested to implement Fifa’s decision at the beginning of the next registration period.”
The letter, however, said that the suspension will be lifted when the matter is resolved and the two parties are contented.
Habamahoro deserted the den for Kiyovu Sports of Rwanda in December 2018 — barely four months into his contract — after playing the entire period without wages.
He tried everything after that to get his pay to no avail. He finally resorted to FIFA to solve the matter which resulted in the ban.
