AFC Leopards have been given notice by the world governing football body FIFA not to register any new player for AFC Leopards for the next two years. – By Madellene Markit.
Leopards failed to pay Rwandese midfielder Vincent Habamahoro Sh1.8 million in wages, fines, and damages in January; the ban being effective from June 2021.
The 13 time Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions had a 45-day window to settle the Rwandan’s debt but failed to comply as ordered.
In a letter to the federation, FIFA stated: “We take due note that in its correspondence, the Creditor (Habamahoro) informs us that the Debtor (AFC Leopards) has not complied with its financial obligations in accordance with the decision of Fifa.
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally has been implemented by Fifa at the beginning of the next registration period (June).”
The ban is expected to be lifted unconditionally if the club settles the matter with the player, with the midfielder currently in the books of Kiyovu SC in Rwanda.
Habamahoro joined Leopards in 2018 but quit after five months after going for four months without pay.
Their latest match was away to Vihiga United on Saturday and despite coming into the match as favourites, they settled to a 0-0 draw.
