Yanga now serve two FIFA bans
What you need to know:
- FIFA’s decision against Yanga is not uncommon.
Dar es Salaam. While serving an indefinite ban for breaching Article 3 of the FIFA transfer regulations, football giants Young Africans (Yanga) have been slapped with another ban by the world football governing body (FIFA) for failing to pay Zambian striker Lazarous Kambole’s rights.
According to a statement issued by Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Information Officer Clifford Ndimbo, Yanga have been given 45 days to pay Kambole’s rights, as well as other financial obligations, following the termination of his contract in accordance with the rules and regulations.
Ndimbo stated that Kambole lodged a complaint against Yanga regarding the matter, and investigations found Yanga guilty.
Kambole joined Yanga from South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs in 2022 as a free agent and later joined Zesco United of Zambia on loan in 2023.
"So, Yanga have been imposed with a ban on recruiting players domestically and internationally until they settle 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.
Still serving an indefinite ban
The Jangwani Street giants are still under another ban on signing players for breaching transfer rules. The club is alleged to have breached Article 3 of the transfer rules as stipulated by FIFA.
The Tanzanian champions are also alleged to have failed to register some of their players in the Transfer Matching System (TMS) as required by FIFA, despite reminders from the 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, where the case is currently pending further disciplinary action.
The Citizen has learned that Yanga have already submitted their defence on the matter, which is yet to be ruled by FIFA’s disciplinary body.
"Yanga have to defend themselves before FIFA’s disciplinary body; however, the body has not yet scheduled a meeting date with Yanga to deliver its verdict," said the informed source.
Not Yanga's first FIFA ban
FIFA’s decision against Yanga is not uncommon. The Jangwani Street giants were sanctioned by FIFA after being found guilty of failing to meet financial obligations to their former head coach, Luc Eymael.
The sanction was imposed after Yanga were ordered to pay coach Eymael, who was dismissed in 2020, $148,000 (Sh346 million) for unfair dismissal, 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 Yanga to pay Bigirimana within 45 days after the verdict was reached. The club complied, and the transfer ban was lifted.
