Betway Premiership oufit Chippa United have been hit with a FIFA transfer ban for failing to comply with financial obligations owed to former coach Luc Eymael.
In a letter dated 8 April 2026, the world football’s governing body, FIFA, confirmed that the Gqeberha-based side is prohibited from registering any new players both nationally and internationally.
The sanction comes as a result of the Betway Premiership club’s failure to honour a previous decision regarding outstanding payments to the Belgian tactician.
In February this year, Chippa was ordered to settle an outstanding debt with Eymael. FIFA issued a 45-day ultimatum to pay up or face a mandatory transfer ban. The directive required a payment of R250,000 plus 5% interest.
Eymael took the helm of the Chilli Boys in August 2025, stepping in for the sacked Sinethemba Badela. However, his tenure with the Chilli Boys was short-lived as he was fired by October 2025.
“In this context, it appears that, despite the decision, Chippa United FC [the Respondent] has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Luc Nico Eymael,” reads the FIFA statement.
“In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent.”
HOW LONG WILL THE CHIPPA UNITED BAN LAST?
According to the FIFA’s head of disciplinary, the ban is immediate and will only be lifted once the Chippa settle the debt in full.
Failure to do so could see the club barred from making any signings for nearly two years.
“The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods,” the letter continued.
In addition, FIFA has instructed SAFA to ensure the ban is enforced at a local level. “Lastly, the South African Football Association is requested to immediately implement on the Respondent a ban from registering new players at national level, if not done yet,” the FIFA letter stated.
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