Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FIFA have slammed Ngezi Platinum Stars with a registration ban after the club failed to comply with an arbitration ruling ordering it to pay nearly US$200,000 to former coach Bongani Mafu.
The decision shuts the door on new signings and deepens scrutiny around the club’s finances and governance.
In a letter dated December 17, and seen by Zimpapers Sports Hub, FIFA Head of Disciplinary Americo Espallargas, confirmed that Ngezi are barred from registering new players until they settle the outstanding debt, for a maximum of three consecutive registration periods.
ZIFA have been ordered to enforce the sanction at national level, effectively ruling the club out of the upcoming January transfer window.
“The implementation of this ban was the inevitable consequence of non-compliance with a FIFA ruling,” said Ndaba Nyathi of Touchwood Intermediaries, Mafu’s legal representative.
“Our client’s rights cannot be ignored indefinitely. We hope the club will prioritise settling this matter so it can focus on football.”
The ban flows from FIFA’s ruling that Ngezi breached Mafu’s contract without just cause, ordering the club to pay compensation of US$196,750 plus five percent annual interest accruing from 2022.
That decision was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last month, with the 45-day compliance deadline expiring earlier this month.
The Mafu case is only one part of a widening financial storm around the club.
Former coach Benjani Mwaruwari has also been awarded about US$570,000 by FIFA in a separate unfair dismissal ruling, plus interest accruing from 2022, a decision
Ngezi have appealed at CAS.
Both Mafu and Benjani were dismissed in July 2022 after just three months in charge.
Combined, the liabilities now edge towards US$800,000 before interest, a heavy figure in Zimbabwean football.
The registration ban will remain in force until Ngezi fully pays the amount owed to Mafu, including accrued interest.
FIFA have warned that failure to comply within three consecutive registration periods could trigger further disciplinary sanctions.
