ES Tunis, Al Nasr and Rayon Sports hit with FIFA transfer bans as Zamalek faces pending cases

Several African football giants have been hit with FIFA sanctions after being handed transfer bans, preventing them from registering new players for upcoming registration periods.

Tunisian powerhouse Espérance Sportive de Tunis (ES Tunis) became the latest high-profile club to receive a FIFA transfer ban on Monday. The club has been barred from registering new players for three consecutive registration periods following a ruling by football’s world governing body.

The decision adds to growing concerns among African clubs over unresolved contractual disputes and financial obligations involving players and technical staff.

Libyan side Al Nasr SC have also been sanctioned by FIFA and will face the same restriction, with the club unable to register new players for three registration windows.

The case reportedly relates to former assistant coach to Miguel Gamondi, Moussa Ndaw, as well as goalkeeper coach Tarik El Jarmouni. The dispute resulted in FIFA imposing the ban after the matter remained unresolved.

Rwandan giants Rayon Sports FC have also been placed under a FIFA transfer restriction. The club is currently prohibited from registering new players for three registration periods as part of FIFA’s disciplinary measures.

Meanwhile, Egyptian giants Zamalek SC continue to work through a number of outstanding disputes at FIFA. The Cairo-based club still has nine cases pending before the governing body and must resolve those matters before it can completely clear its record.

FIFA transfer bans are typically imposed when clubs fail to meet obligations arising from contractual disputes, including unpaid salaries, compensation claims, or disagreements with former players and staff.

The latest sanctions could significantly affect the clubs’ recruitment plans, particularly during transfer windows when teams traditionally strengthen their squads ahead of domestic and continental campaigns.