FIFA ban Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr from registering new players

Al-Nassr, the Saudi Arabian football club, has been hit with a FIFA ban that prevents them from registering new players.

Known for their high-profile signings, including Cristiano Ronaldo, the club has been a major player in the Saudi Pro League. However, their transfer activities have now been halted due to their failure to pay Leicester City a sum of around £390,000 in add-ons and interest for the transfer of Ahmed Musa back in 2018.

The ban, which was initially communicated to Al-Nassr in 2021, will last for three consecutive registration periods, obstructing their plans to assemble a star-studded team. The club has until the end of the ban to settle the outstanding payment, or they may face disciplinary action by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.

Club officials remain confident that the fee will be paid before reaching that stage. They attribute the oversight to the club’s previous structure, with recent changes occurring after the Public Investment Fund took over. Al-Nassr aims to resolve the matter by paying the owed amount to Leicester City, enabling them to target new recruits and lift the registration ban.

Leicester City, who were relegated to the Championship, will begin the new season in the second tier of English football.