Chippa United hit with three-window FIFA registration ban

Chippa United have been handed a three-window registration ban by FIFA, with the sanction appearing as the latest domestic transfer window in the Betway Premiership approaches its conclusion.

The South African window closes on Tuesday, immediately after the final block of fixtures before the next FIFA dates.

FIFA’s latest registration listings were released on Friday evening and include Chippa United among the clubs affected by the governing body’s enforcement measures. The reason for the latest case has not yet been established.

FIFA applies such sanctions when clubs fail to comply with its orders. Chippa were subject to a similar restriction last month in a case involving Burkina Faso midfielder Roland Sanou, but that ban was lifted after the club settled the outstanding payment.

Sanou referred the matter to FIFA following a contractual dispute with the Gqeberha-based club and won his case. He had played for Chippa United briefly three years ago before his contract was terminated, prompting him to pursue the matter through FIFA’s legal process.

The ban was subsequently imposed after Chippa failed to make the payment within the deadline set by FIFA.

The latest development comes just over a fortnight after another South African case came under scrutiny involving now-defunct JDR Stars, who previously competed in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

JDR Stars were placed under a three-window registration ban earlier this month. The restriction remains attached to the club despite its status having been sold to Leicesterford City before the start of last season.

JDR Stars’ former boss, Nditsheni Nemasisi, has since moved to Sasolburg United in the Free State ABC Motsepe League.

The sale of the club as a going concern could create complications for Leicesterford City, although the details of the case have not yet been established. There are also pending issues involving Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

FIFA’s registration sanctions have therefore resurfaced in South Africa during the closing stages of the transfer window, with both JDR Stars and Chippa United linked to three-window bans.

The circumstances surrounding Chippa’s latest sanction remain unclear, while the earlier matter involving Sanou was resolved after the club complied with FIFA’s payment ruling.