FIFA orders Young Africans to pay TP Mazembe $43,000 in Jean Baleke transfer dispute

World football governing body FIFA has ruled that Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC must pay DR Congo side TP Mazembe a total of $43,000, plus interest, in a decision linked to the transfer of forward Jean Baleke.

The ruling brings an end—at least at disciplinary level—to a contractual dispute that had been under review, with FIFA siding with the Lubumbashi-based club over outstanding financial obligations.

In addition to the principal amount, FIFA has also imposed further financial penalties on Young Africans. The club has been ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and an additional $5,000 in legal costs. The debt will also accrue 5% annual interest until full settlement is made.

The case centres on the transfer arrangement involving Jean Baleke, who moved from TP Mazembe to Young Africans SC in a deal that later became the subject of a financial disagreement between the two clubs.

According to the decision, Young Africans have been given 45 days to settle the full amount. Failure to comply within the deadline could trigger a transfer ban of up to three registration windows, both domestically and internationally—a sanction that would significantly impact the club’s recruitment plans.

The ruling underscores FIFA’s strict enforcement mechanisms in transfer-related disputes, particularly in cases involving cross-border agreements within African football.

Neither club had issued an immediate public response at the time of publication. However, the outcome places renewed pressure on Young Africans to resolve the matter quickly in order to avoid sporting sanctions heading into upcoming transfer periods.