FIFA slaps a transfer ban on Heartland over unpaid wages to former player
Nigeria’s Heartland FC have been hit with a transfer ban by world football governing body FIFA following the club’s failure to settle outstanding financial obligations owed to their former midfielder, N’goran Roland Adjoumani Koffi of the Ivory Coast.
According to a letter from FIFA dated October 3, 2025, and signed by Americo Espallargas, sighted by Sports 247, the organisation’s Head of Disciplinary, the Owerri-based club failed to comply with a previous ruling (Ref. No. FPSD-19817) directing them to pay Koffi his outstanding entitlements.
FIFA Imposes Immediate Sanction
The decision follows a protracted contractual dispute that has dragged on for months despite multiple reminders and payment deadlines issued by the world body.
As a result, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has imposed an immediate ban on Heartland FC, preventing the club from registering new players both domestically and internationally until all debts to the Ivorian are cleared.
“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,” FIFA stated in the correspondence.
FIFA has also directed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure the sanction is enforced within the Nigerian football system. This means Heartland will not be allowed to register any new players in the Nigeria National League (NNL) until full compliance is achieved.
Blow to Heartland’s Rebuilding Efforts
The ban comes as a major setback for Heartland FC, which was relegated from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season and is currently attempting to rebuild its squad for the upcoming 2024/2025 NNL campaign.
With the restriction in place, the club’s ability to reinforce its ranks ahead of the new season is now in jeopardy unless the management moves swiftly to resolve the financial dispute.
In addition to FIFA’s sanction, the NFF Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) has also ordered Heartland to pay outstanding entitlements owed to several former players, including Umah Johnson, Esobe Chukwudi, Ugochukwu Leonard, Ezekiel Bassey, and four others.