Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC have been hit with a national transfer ban by FIFA, the world governing body for football, the AIFF said in a statement on Monday.
The circular read, “a National Ban on the registration of new players has been imposed on the Club Mumbai City FC.”
It further added, “the ban will be effective immediately as per the communications received from FIFA’s Head of Disciplinary.”
The transfer ban has been imposed because solidarity payments have faltered in Mumbai City.
They will have to clear the outstanding dues within the next 24-28 hours.
What are solidarity payments?
Training compensation and solidarity payments are mechanisms aimed at rewarding and encouraging clubs that nurture young talent.
Solidarity payments get triggered when a player transfers from one club to another before the expiration of his/her contract.
A percentage of the transfer fee (5% as per FIFA’s regulation) is given to the clubs involved in the player’s development between the ages of 12 and 23.
Mumbai City have had a rough start to the 2024-25 ISL, with just two points from their opening four games and this transfer ban will add further complications to their season.
They will look to resolve this issue as soon as possible so that they can bring in reinforcements in January or sign free agents.