World football body FIFA has imposed a transfer ban on Russian club CSKA Moscow for failing to pay the balance of €3 million to Dutch club SC Heerenveen for the transfer of Nigerian winger Chidera Ejuke.
Ejuke joined CSKA Moscow from Heerenveen in 2020 for a transfer fee of €11.3 million. However, CSKA has not fully paid the agreed amount, leading Heerenveen to report the matter to FIFA.
The ban restricts CSKA from registering new players until mid-2026 unless the outstanding payment is made.
Reacting to the sanction, CSKA Moscow insisted they have not refused to pay and claimed to have proposed alternative solutions to Heerenveen.
A club spokesperson told Russian *Sport-Express*, “It is important to emphasize that we never refused to pay. We offered Heerenveen various options. There is no reason to worry about this ban; it will be lifted.”
CSKA also criticized FIFA for inconsistency, referencing their unresolved case with English Premier League club West Ham United. According to CSKA, West Ham owes them €20 million for the 2021 transfer of Nikola Vlasic, which remains unpaid due to international sanctions.
“West Ham owes us around €20 million. If FIFA imposes a ban on us, they should also impose similar sanctions on West Ham. Let’s be consistent,” the spokesperson added.
CSKA suggested a solution where West Ham could pay part of the Vlasic transfer fee directly to Heerenveen, but this proposal was rejected.
FIFA’s decision emphasizes the governing body’s commitment to ensuring clubs meet financial obligations in player transfers. The ban will remain in place until CSKA settles the debt or mid-2026, whichever comes first.
