Hyderabad FC is currently facing a prohibition from enlisting new players for the forthcoming two transfer windows, a decision pronounced by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) player status committee due to the club’s repeated failure to meet salary obligations to several of its players and officials. The sanction issued by the AIFF restricts the Indian Super League (ISL) team from adding any new players to its roster for two back-to-back registration periods, making it eligible for player registration only after fully serving the imposed sporting sanctions.
Set to commence from the upcoming mid-June to August registration window and extend to January 2025, this ban effectively leaves Hyderabad FC out of play for the recruitment phase for the entire 2024-25 season. This announcement follows an earlier FIFA-imposed transfer ban resulting from the club’s unsettled financial accounts with ex-Nigerian forward, Bartholomew Ogbeche.
Hyderabad FC’s transfer ban adds fuel to their ongoing fire
Hyderabad FC is criticized for consistenly failing to honor financial commitments, as highlighted by the player status committee, with numerous complaints lodged by players, officials, and intermediaries over unpaid dues. The past two years have seen complaints from over ten players and officials, including international players Joel Chianese, Borja Herrera, Odei Onaindia, and Ogbeche, alongside ex-coach Manolo Marquez and goalkeeping coach Asier Rey, who have sought redress through FIFA.
Since the onset of 2023, at least five players, disillusioned by the non-payment of salaries for several months, have opted to terminate their contracts based on just cause. Such departures include notable players like Chinglensana Singh, Nikhil Poojary (to Bengaluru FC), Hitesh Sharma (to Odisha), Nim Dorjee (to FC Goa), and Gurmeet Singh (to NorthEast United). Additionally, Mohammed Yasir and Sahil Tavora are serving loans at Goa and Punjab, respectively.
In the absence of a successful appeal against the transfer ban, Hyderabad FC is poised to compete in the subsequent ISL season with predominantly Indian talent, having only one international player, team captain Joao Victor, amidst its ranks. This situation places Thangboi Singto’s team, which is currently trailing at the ISL table’s bottom, in a challenging position for future competitions.
