FIFA bars Ronaldo’s club from registering players

The Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr has been barred from signing new players due to outstanding debts, FIFA announced on Thursday.

After acquiring Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo in January, Al-Nassr signed Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan earlier this month.

On Friday, they will play a friendly against the Portuguese club SC Farense.

“Due to outstanding debts, the club Al-Nassr is currently unable to register new players,” a FIFA official told Reuters on Thursday.

“The relevant bans will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debts being confirmed by the creditors concerned.”

According to reports, the outstanding debts are related to the transfer of Nigerian attacker Ahmed Musa, who moved to Al-Nassr from English side Leicester City in 2018.

In a ruling in October 2021, FIFA said Al-Nassr still had to pay a sum of 460,000 euros (513,544 dollars) to Leicester City for the signing of Musa.

The Nigeria captain played 62 games for the Saudi Arabian club in all competitions, scoring 14 goals, before leaving in 2020.

Reuters has reached out to Al-Nassr for comment.

Last month, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project involving league champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

PIF own 75 percent of each of the four clubs, while their respective non-profit foundations own 25 percent of each.

Reuters/NAN