Despite being sceptical about delving deeply into the transfer ban issue, Chippa United head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi insists the latest developments will not affect their fight to avoid the dreaded relegation axe.
As FARPost first reported, the Betway Premiership club have been hit with a FIFA transfer ban for failing to comply with financial obligations owed to former coach Luc Eymael.
In a letter seen by this publication dated 8 April 2026, the world football governing body, FIFA, confirmed that the club is prohibited from registering any new players, both nationally and internationally.
The club was ordered to settle an outstanding debt with Eymael in February this year. They were further issued a 45-day ultimatum to pay R250,000 plus 5% interest or face a mandatory transfer ban.
However, Chippa failed to settle the amount, prompting FIFA’s head of disciplinary to impose a ban with immediate effect, which will only be lifted once they have settled the debt in full.
VUSUMUZI VILAKAZI NOT WORRIED ABOUT BAN ON CHIPPA UNITED
But speaking after the 1-1 draw against Polokwane City FC at the Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday evening, Vilakazi insisted that he has no knowledge of the ban, but even if that was the case, he is happy with his current squad.
“That’s not my department; I only focus on the four lines,” Vilakazi told journalists.
“Whether there is a ban or no ban, I am happy with the players that I have now, and I still feel that we will definitely run away from relegation or [PSL Promotional/Relegation] Playoffs with these players.
“So other issues I can not entertain because I don’t know about them. Nobody spoke to me about such things, not even the chairman [Siviwe ‘Chippa] Mpengesi] himself.”
Following the emergence of the FIFA-imposed sanction, Chippa United released an official statement seeking to downplay the severity of the ban, characterising it as a “positive and professional” administrative hurdle. The club confirmed that the dispute involves an outstanding debt of approximately R200,000 owed to Luc Eymael, a figure slightly lower than the initial reports of R250,000.
CHIPPA UNITED BREAK SILENCE ON FIFA BAN: ‘ONGOING ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER’
Meanwhile, in a move to reassure the Chilli Boys’ faithful, the club on Monday clarified that they have been granted a grace period until the upcoming August registration window to finalise the settlement. According to the statement, the hierarchy is managing the process in alignment with their planning for the following season, explicitly stating that the legal impasse “does not impact the club’s football operations” for the current campaign.
Chairman Mpengesi’s administration further emphasised that the team’s immediate focus is on the final five fixtures of the season.
By framing the situation as an ongoing negotiation rather than a financial crisis, the club is clearly attempting to shift the narrative back to the pitch, urging supporters to remain steadfast behind the team as they look to secure their top-flight status.
RELATED STORY: Chippa hit with FIFA transfer ban over Luc Eymael payment