FIFA stop Young Africans from signing new players

Tanzania Premier League champions Yanga SC have been banned from signing players by FIFA.

The ban comes after the world governing body found Yanga guilty of not meeting financial obligations for its former coach, Luc Eymael.

“We take due note that in its correspondence, the creditor informs us that the respondent, the club Young Africans SC, have not complied with its financial obligations in accordance with the decision of FIFA,” read a letter signed by FIFA’s disciplinary coordinator, Pablo Arias.

“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban on registering new players internationally has been implemented by FIFA as of today.

“Moreover, and in accordance with this aforementioned decision, the respondent’s member association [TFF] is requested to immediately implement on the respondent, Young Africans, a ban from signing new players at the national level.”

The ban comes after FIFA, in October 2022, ordered the Tanzanian heavyweights, to pay their former coach Eymael $148,000 (TSh346 million) for unfair dismissal.

The former AFC Leopards coach and Yanga parted ways after the tactician is said to have referred to the fans in a racial manner.

This will be a big blow for Yanga, who are just coming off an impressive campaign both at the national and continental levels.

Being the champions of the Mainland Premier League and the Federation Cup, Yanga would have wanted to strengthen their playing unit in order to be in a better position to defend the titles.

After reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final, the club’s main wish was a far better campaign next season, especially in the Champions League.

The club has already released Tuisila Kisinda and Bernard Morisson, who were among the foreign legions at the club, and their positions need to be filled.

Should Fiston Mayele, their reliable goal scorer for the last two seasons, also leave, it would present the Jangwani giants with an even bigger challenge.