Mohammedan SC have received relief as FIFA has lifted their transfer ban after the club paid part of the money owed to former Iranian footballer Meysam Shahzadeh.
The ban was imposed after Shahzadeh complained about unpaid dues from the 2022 to 23 season, when he played for the Dhaka club. FIFA then stopped Mohammedan from registering players. The ruling meant the club could not sign players for three transfer windows, and they also missed the chance to register footballers in the mid season window.
Mohammedan manager Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib said the club has agreed to clear the payment in steps. He said, “We will pay 10,000 dollars in five installments. After already paying the first monthly installment, we received the letter from FIFA yesterday (Wednesday) confirming that the ban has been lifted.”
Even though the ban is now gone, Mohammedan will not be able to register new players for the rest of this season. The club has promised to pay the remaining money in the coming months. However, Mohammedan are facing money problems, and it remains to be seen if they can pay 10,000 dollars each month for the next four months.
Earlier, three top Bangladesh Premier League clubs were under FIFA sanctions for not paying foreign players as per contract. Mohammedan have now cleared their case, but Abahani Limited Dhaka and Bashundhara Kings are still under FIFA action. Abahani have three open cases, while Bashundhara Kings have nine. Mohammedan’s name has already been removed from FIFA’s sanctions portal.
