FIFA slams Heartland FC with transfer ban over indebtedness
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has imposed a transfer ban on Nigerian club Heartland FC of Owerri for failing to meet its financial obligations.
The Naze Millionaires are reportedly indebted to former Ivorian midfielder N’goran Roland Adjoumani Koffi and have failed to comply with an earlier ruling by the world football governing body.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, FIFA confirmed that Heartland FC did not comply with a previous decision (Ref. No. FPSD-19817) ordering the club to pay the player his outstanding entitlements. The decision followed a protracted contractual dispute that lingered for months despite several reminders and deadlines.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee consequently imposed an immediate ban preventing Heartland from registering new players both nationally and internationally. The sanction, signed by Americo Espallargas, FIFA’s Head of Disciplinary, will remain in effect until the club clears its debts in full.
According to the letter, if the outstanding payment is not settled promptly, the restriction could last for up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
FIFA also directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to enforce the sanction domestically, ensuring that Heartland cannot register any new players in the Nigerian league system until full compliance is achieved.
“The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods,” the correspondence stated.
This latest development represents a major setback for the Owerri-based side, which is currently rebuilding its squad after being relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) to the Nigeria National League (NNL) last season.
