Motsepe Foundation Championship club Black Leopards have received a major boost after the World football governing body, FIFA lifted their transfer ban.
Leopards had been slapped with a ban to register new players on 17 October 2025 following issues relating to the FIFA Clearing House Client Portal inherited from All Stars FC when they purchased the NFD status.
Their start to the 2025/26 season campaign has been marred with controversy after playing two of their first three games under protest.
SIGH OF RELIEF AS MOTSEPE FOUNDATION CHAMPIONSHIP SIDE’S TRANSFER BAN COME TO AN END
They played their first match of the season against Casric Stars with 10 players, nine on-field after being barred from using their new signings.
Their matches against the University of Pretoria and Lerumo Lions were played under protest after the club failed to have the required number of underage players. Both cases have since sat before the Premier Soccer League [PSL] DC hearings.
This was due to a confusion that the club was banned by FIFA which was later cleared after it emerged that they were in fact not banned and were subsequently allowed to use their new signings.
However, they were eventually banned in October and were unable to beef up their squad during the January transfer window period.
FIFA ISSUES CORRESPONDENT LIFTING REGISTRATION BAN ON BLACK LEOPARDS
This publication has since been reliably informed that FIFA has issued a correspondent to SAFA instructing them to immediately lift the ban imposed on the club.
Despite the January transfer window having closed, Leopards can still sign and register players who had been free agents.
Leopards are not in action this week due to the Nedbank Cup last 32 fixtures. They will return to action on Friday, 13 February when they travel to the Malamulele Stadium to face Gomora United.
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