FIFA lifts one out of two bans on Yanga
What you need to know:
- Yanga had been handed an indefinite ban for breaching Article 3 of the FIFA transfer regulations. However, the player who caused the team to be imposed with the ban was not named.
Dar es Salaam. Young Africans (Yanga) members and fans have a reason to smile following the decision of the world football governing body (FIFA) to lift one out of two bans imposed on the club.
Yanga had been handed an indefinite ban for breaching Article 3 of the FIFA transfer regulations. However, the player who caused the team to be imposed with the ban was not named.
The Tanzania Mainland Premier League champions were also accused of having failed to register some of their players in the Transfer Matching System (TMS) as required by FIFA, despite reminders from the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF).
According to a previous statement from the TFF, Yanga were required to comply with the sanctions and submit the corrected version to the FIFA disciplinary secretariat.
TFF Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo stated that Yanga have followed all the rules and regulations concerning the matter, including payment.
"Yanga had to defend themselves before FIFA’s disciplinary body and managed to comply with the rules and regulations,” he said.
Still Serving One Ban
However, Ndimbo explained that Yanga are still serving one ban for failing to pay the dues of Zambian striker Lazarous Kambole, leading to a breach of contract.
Due to the ban, Yanga are not allowed to recruit any players ahead of the next league season until they have paid Kambole’s dues as per the rules and regulations.
Kambole lodged a complaint against Yanga, and investigations found Yanga at fault. The Zambian joined Yanga from South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in 2022 as a free agent before he was sold on loan to Zesco United of Zambia in 2023.
"So, Yanga are still serving one ban and as well are not allowed to recruit players domestically or internationally until they have settled their debt with Kambole. In light of this decision, TFF has also imposed a similar ban on Yanga for violating the rules and regulations," said Ndimbo.
Not Yanga's first FIFA Ban
FIFA’s decision against Yanga is not uncommon. The Jangwani Street giants were previously sanctioned by FIFA for failing to meet financial obligations to their former head coach, Luc Eymael.
The sanction was imposed after Yanga had been ordered to pay coach Eymael $148,000 (Sh346 million) for unfair dismissal in 2020, but they failed to fulfill their obligations.
In December 2023, Yanga were also embroiled in another payment dispute with their former player, Gael Bigirimana, who took his case to FIFA demanding unpaid wages after the termination of his contract, resulting in the club being handed another ban.
Aside from the ban on signing players, FIFA ordered the Tanzanian giants to pay Bigirimana within 45 days after the verdict was reached. The club complied, and the transfer ban was lifted.
