Chippa United deny FIFA registration ban after settling Roland Sanou dispute

Chippa United say they have paid the outstanding financial obligations relating to former midfielder Roland Sanou and insist a FIFA registration ban reported this week does not reflect the club’s current position.

The Betway Premiership club issued its statement on Thursday, 6 August, one day after reports emerged of a new registration ban imposed by FIFA.

The reports followed the publication of a FIFA communique dated 5 August, which stated that Chippa United had been prohibited from registering new players. FIFA also requested that the South African Football Association (SAFA) implement the ban immediately.

However, Chippa United said the settlement involving Sanou had already been paid and that the matter was no longer unresolved.

“Chippa United Football Club has noted media reports alleging that the club is currently under a FIFA transfer ban due to an outstanding financial obligation,” the club stated.

“The club categorically states that these reports are factually incorrect and outdated. The settlement in question has already been paid, and the matter has been resolved.

“We are therefore disappointed by the publication of information that does not reflect the current position, as it creates unnecessary confusion among our supporters, partners and stakeholders.”

The club’s response came after iDiski Times reported on Wednesday that FIFA had issued a new registration ban against Chippa United. The publication said it had seen the governing body’s communication, dated Wednesday, 5 August.

According to that communication, FIFA had informed the relevant authorities that Chippa United could not register new players and had asked SAFA to put the measure into effect without delay.

Chippa United’s statement disputes the basis of those reports, rather than denying that a FIFA communication had been issued. The club’s position is that the financial matter connected to Sanou has been settled and that any reporting describing the obligation as outstanding is outdated.

The dispute therefore centres on the timing and status of the payment. FIFA’s communication indicated that the registration restriction was linked to an unpaid financial obligation, while Chippa United says the settlement had already been completed by the time it responded publicly on Thursday.

The club said the publication of information that did not represent its current position had caused avoidable uncertainty for its supporters, partners and other stakeholders.

The matter involves Sanou, who previously played as a midfielder for Chippa United, and could affect the club’s ability to register new players if the restriction remains active. FIFA’s request placed responsibility on SAFA to implement the ban immediately, while Chippa United maintains that the issue has been resolved through payment of the settlement.