FAF bans 27 Algerian clubs from signing new players over unresolved obligations

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has announced that 27 clubs across the country’s football pyramid have been prohibited from registering new players after failing to meet contractual obligations and comply with decisions issued by both national football authorities and FIFA.

The decision was confirmed following the FAF Federal Bureau’s statutory monthly meeting, held on Saturday at the National Technical Centre in Sidi Moussa. The federation said the sanctions apply to clubs from multiple divisions and will remain in place until each affected side has fully resolved its outstanding legal and financial commitments.

Among the clubs impacted are seven teams from Algeria’s top-flight Ligue 1: USM Alger, CS Constantine, ES Sétif, CR Belouizdad, JS Kabylie, JS Saoura and newly promoted US Biskra.

According to the federation, the restrictions stem from failures to honour contractual obligations towards unpaid players and coaches. Until those issues are settled, the clubs will be unable to register new players during the transfer window.

H2: Seven Ligue 1 clubs among those sanctioned

The ban extends well beyond Algeria’s highest division. In total, 27 clubs have been affected, including teams competing in Ligue 2, the Inter-Regional League and Regional competitions.

During its July meeting, the Federal Bureau reviewed the status of clubs currently subject to registration bans imposed through decisions made by the federation’s judicial bodies and FIFA.

The federation stressed that the measure is part of its responsibility to enforce existing football regulations and ensure clubs comply with their contractual commitments.

The seven Ligue 1 clubs named in the announcement are:

• USM Alger
• CS Constantine
• ES Sétif
• CR Belouizdad
• JS Kabylie
• JS Saoura
• US Biskra

The remaining sanctioned clubs come from lower divisions, bringing the overall total to 27.

H2: FIFA regulations underpin the decision

The FAF explained that its decision is based on FIFA Circular No. 1843, issued on 28 April 2023, which governs the enforcement of registration bans under the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) and the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

By applying those provisions, the federation said clubs cannot complete any player registration—either nationally or internationally—while a registration ban remains active.

This means affected teams will be unable to strengthen their squads until all outstanding obligations have been fulfilled and the sanctions have been officially lifted.

The federation underlined that the regulations leave little room for exceptions and require complete compliance before clubs regain access to the transfer market.

H3: Clubs instructed to resolve outstanding obligations

Following the meeting, the Federal Bureau formally instructed every affected club to settle its outstanding commitments without delay.

The federation stated that clubs must fully regularise both their legal and financial situations before any restrictions can be removed.

Failure to do so will prevent them from registering players during the relevant transfer periods, potentially affecting preparations for the upcoming campaign.

The announcement also serves as a reminder that registration bans remain enforceable until the competent authorities confirm that all conditions have been met.

For clubs hoping to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season, resolving outstanding contractual disputes has now become an immediate priority.

The federation made it clear that the responsibility rests with each club to complete the necessary procedures.

It warned that any organisation failing to comply would bear the consequences arising from the continued enforcement of the sanctions.

The meeting concluded with the FAF reiterating that the registration bans are being implemented in accordance with national decisions and FIFA regulations, and that affected clubs must regularise their situations before they can return to the transfer market.