FIFA Bans Highlanders From Player Transfers Over Unpaid Coach Salaries.
Highlanders Football Club faces a FIFA transfer ban after failing to pay former coach Baltemar Brito and assistant Antonio Joao Torres their outstanding salaries. The Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League club owes Brito US$14,778 plus US$237.71 in interest and Torres US$11,788 plus US$193.74 in interest, according to FIFA records dated October 17, 2024.
The ban prohibits the Bulawayo-based team from registering new players internationally and domestically. FIFA's disciplinary committee restricted the team after Highlanders missed a 45-day payment deadline. The debts continue to accrue interest at 5 percent per year until settlement.
This marks the second recent FIFA sanction against a Zimbabwean club. Fellow Premier League team Yadah Stars received a three-window transfer ban last year over unpaid salaries to Brazilian staff members Joao Pedro Marques Barcellos, Juan Luciano Faria, and Deivid Pereira de Brito.
The timing proves particularly challenging for Highlanders as the club aims to rebuild following the departures of key players Lynoth Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa, and Marvelous Chigumira. The ban threatens to derail new Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu's plans ahead of the 2025 season.
Highlanders CEO Brian Moyo acknowledged the debt and said the club works with corporate partners and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to resolve the payment issues before the domestic transfer window closes. The club has not won the league championship since 2006 under former player-coach Methembe Ndlovu.
FIFA Head of Disciplinary Americo Espallargas directed the Zimbabwe Football Association to enforce the ban at the national level. The restriction will remain active until full payment or for a maximum of three consecutive transfer windows. The coaches pursued FIFA intervention after unsuccessful direct negotiations with Highlanders since last year.
Highlanders Football Club faces a FIFA transfer ban after failing to pay former coach Baltemar Brito and assistant Antonio Joao Torres their outstanding salaries. The Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League club owes Brito US$14,778 plus US$237.71 in interest and Torres US$11,788 plus US$193.74 in interest, according to FIFA records dated October 17, 2024.
The ban prohibits the Bulawayo-based team from registering new players internationally and domestically. FIFA's disciplinary committee restricted the team after Highlanders missed a 45-day payment deadline. The debts continue to accrue interest at 5 percent per year until settlement.
This marks the second recent FIFA sanction against a Zimbabwean club. Fellow Premier League team Yadah Stars received a three-window transfer ban last year over unpaid salaries to Brazilian staff members Joao Pedro Marques Barcellos, Juan Luciano Faria, and Deivid Pereira de Brito.
The timing proves particularly challenging for Highlanders as the club aims to rebuild following the departures of key players Lynoth Chikuhwa, Godfrey Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa, and Marvelous Chigumira. The ban threatens to derail new Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu's plans ahead of the 2025 season.
Highlanders CEO Brian Moyo acknowledged the debt and said the club works with corporate partners and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to resolve the payment issues before the domestic transfer window closes. The club has not won the league championship since 2006 under former player-coach Methembe Ndlovu.
FIFA Head of Disciplinary Americo Espallargas directed the Zimbabwe Football Association to enforce the ban at the national level. The restriction will remain active until full payment or for a maximum of three consecutive transfer windows. The coaches pursued FIFA intervention after unsuccessful direct negotiations with Highlanders since last year.
