FIFA has announced that once Al-Nassr, the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, pays the debt owed to Leicester City, the ban on registering new players will be lifted. The debt of €460,000 ($513,000) with an annual interest of 5% was ordered by a FIFA-appointed judge in October 2021.
The ruling makes it clear that if Al-Nassr fails to pay the required amount to Leicester City, they will face a ban on registering new players for both domestic and international transfers. This means that the club will not be able to register any superstars they sign from Europe.
The non-payment of the debt resulted in FIFA banning the Saudi pro league from making any new signings due to the club’s failure to pay add-ons owed to Leicester City under the transfer deal involving Ahmed Musa. Musa joined Al-Nassr in 2018 for a fee of £14 million, plus add-ons. After two years with the club, he left in 2020 after appearing in 50 matches and scoring nine goals.
Currently, Al-Nassr still has the ability to buy new players, but they are unable to register them to play. FIFA confirmed on Thursday that the club is prevented from registering new players due to outstanding debts. Once the debt to Leicester City is settled, Al-Nassr will regain the ability to register new players and participate in transfers.