Morocco striker En-Nesyri at centre of Fenerbahce and Sevilla transfer dispute

Fenerbahce have been ordered by FIFA to pay Sevilla approximately $2.95m (£2.2m) over their transfer agreement for Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri.

The case dates back to En-Nesyri’s move from Sevilla to the Turkish club in July 2024 for €19.5m, with Fenerbahce agreeing to settle the transfer fee in eight instalments over four years.

FIFA has also imposed a ban preventing Fenerbahce from registering new players for three transfer windows as a result of the dispute.

Sevilla took case to FIFA

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Fenerbahce failed to make an instalment that was due on 30 April, prompting Sevilla to take the matter to FIFA.

The Turkish club’s current management later settled the overdue payment, but Sevilla also asked for the next instalment to be paid before its original deadline.

FIFA ruled in favour of the Spanish club, ordering Fenerbahce to pay approximately $2.95m, with the amount equivalent to about $3.36m or MAD 32.2m at current exchange rates.

The payment relates to the next instalment, which was originally scheduled for a later date.

Fenerbahce expect ban to be lifted

Fenerbahce have described the registration restriction as temporary and linked specifically to the outstanding payment from the En-Nesyri transfer.

The club says it intends to make the payment on Monday, the first working day, after which the registration ban is expected to be lifted once the necessary administrative procedures have been completed.

Turkish newspaper Sozcu also reported that the outstanding instalment is $2.95m, while Sevilla had requested payment of another instalment that was originally due on 31 October.

En-Nesyri now playing in Saudi Arabia

The dispute comes despite En-Nesyri no longer being a Fenerbahce player.

The Morocco international left the Istanbul club in February to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad following a complicated deadline-day transfer process.

En-Nesyri spent around 18 months with Fenerbahce, scoring 38 goals in 79 appearances before moving to Saudi Arabia.

The FIFA case therefore concerns Fenerbahce’s outstanding financial obligations from the original agreement with Sevilla and does not relate to En-Nesyri’s subsequent transfer to Al-Ittihad.