FIFA has sanctioned Saudi Arabian club, Al-Nassr, following an issue involving Nigerian international, Ahmed Musa.
The world football governing body banned the club from registering any new signing going into the new Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have failed to pay Leicester City the money they owe the club over Musa’s transfer.
The Sivasspor forward joined the Saudi Arabian Pro League side in a €16.50m deal in 2018, shortly after an impressive outing at the World Cup in Russia. While the Knights of Naja have paid the transfer fee, they are yet to pay the add-ons, despite The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling.
According to Ben Jacobs, Al-Nassr were ordered to pay the Foxes €460,000 in performance-related add-ons. But the club is yet to obey CAS’ ruling, forcing FIFA to ban them from registering new players ahead of the new season.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen got honoured by the world football governing body last month.
FIFA Director members associations, Gelson Fernandes announced the special honour for the Napoli striker. This came after he was conferred with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic OFR by former President Muhammadu Buhari
Osimhen emerged on the international scene in 2015 when his record 10 goals fired the Golden Eaglets to a fifth U-17 World Cup title in Chile.
The 24-year-old Napoli forward who scored 10 goals in seven matches broke the long-standing record of nine goals in a single tournament previously jointly held by Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle and Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly.
That feat also earned him the 2015 CAF Youth Player of The Year prize. Osimhen recently helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years and also became the first African to win the Capocannoniere (Serie A Top Scorer Award).
The striker also broke a 14-year jinx of being the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere same season. To recognise his impressive rise to prominence, Fernandes presented him with a personalised ball and shift.
In a message to the Nigerian, the FIFA official said; “Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do. From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you. Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”
