Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr banned from registering new players
Al Nassr’s Ban from Registering New Players
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that the club is “currently prevented from registering new players due to outstanding debts”. The ban will remain in place until the debts are cleared and confirmed by the creditors. The FIFA ban came after a FIFA-appointed judge ordered Al Nassr to pay Leicester City €460,000 ($514,000) plus interest over the transfer of Nigeria international Ahmed Musa in October 2021.
Al Nassr’s Outstanding Debts
The FIFA ban is the latest issue for Al Nassr, which has been struggling with outstanding debts. In 2020, players and staff were not paid their salaries for several months, and some players threatened to leave the club. The club’s president, Saud Al-Suwailem, apologized and promised to pay the debts. Al Nassr is one of four Saudi Arabian clubs taken over by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which owns 75% of each of the clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Move to Al Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2022, following his exit from Manchester United. The Portugal captain signed a two-year deal worth €15 million ($16.8 million) per year. Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr was part of a growing trend of high-profile players moving to the Saudi Pro League, which is backed by the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund. The league has been attracting big names from the major European leagues with the promise of huge salaries.
Marcelo Brozovic’s Transfer to Al Nassr
Marcelo Brozovic is the only summer signing for Al Nassr so far. The Croatia international midfielder joined on a permanent deal from Inter Milan. It is not clear whether Brozovic’s recent transfer from Inter Milan would be affected by the FIFA sanction.
FIFA’s Sanctions on Football Clubs
FIFA sanctions football clubs for various reasons, including unpaid debts, match-fixing, and violating transfer regulations. In the event of non-payment, a club could be banned from recruiting players for up to “three entire and consecutive registration periods,” according to the FIFA ruling. The ban could have a significant impact on the team’s performance, especially if they have to play with a limited squad.
The Impact of the Ban on Al Nassr
The FIFA ban is a major setback for Al Nassr, which has been trying to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season. The club finished second in the Saudi Pro League last season. The ban could affect the team’s performance negatively, especially if they are unable to sign new players. Al Nassr’s fans are disappointed with the ban and are hoping that the club will resolve the issue quickly.
Al Nassr’s Response to the Ban
Al Nassr has not commented on the FIFA ban yet. The club’s management is expected to issue a statement soon. The team is currently preparing for the new season, which is set to begin in August. The club’s fans are worried that the ban could affect the team’s chances of winning the league title.
The Future of Al Nassr
Al Nassr’s future is uncertain, given the club’s mounting debts. The team’s management needs to address the financial issues quickly to avoid further sanctions from FIFA. The Saudi Pro League is becoming increasingly competitive, with big names like Steven Gerrard, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante joining the league. Al Nassr needs to strengthen its squad to compete at the highest level.
Conclusion
The FIFA ban on Al Nassr has come as a surprise to many football fans. The club’s management needs to resolve the issue as soon as possible to avoid further sanctions from the global governing body. Al Nassr’s fans are hoping that the team will bounce back from the setback and compete at the highest level in the new season. The Saudi Pro League is attracting big names from the major European leagues, and Al Nassr needs to keep up with the competition to stay relevant.