Al-Nassr banned by FIFA from registering players following Premier League transfer

The decision relates to a former Premier League signing made by Al Nassr

The Saudi Pro League side were one of the first to make a big name signing, bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to the club after he left Manchester United by mutual consent in November.

A number of other high-profile players have joined the league including Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté while Marcelo Brozović recently joined Al Nassr from Champions League finalists, Inter Milan.

However FIFA's ban means that the Saudi Pro League side won't be able to register any new signings.

Their decision was made in relation to the club's failure to play Leicester City the add-ons that were part of their deal to sign forward Ahmed Musa.

Musa joined the Foxes after their title-winning season in 2016 but failed to adapt to life in England and subsequently made the move to the Middle East for £14m in 2018.

He would go on to play 60 times for the club, winning the league, before being released two years later.

An official ruling from the world governing body says that Al Nassr failed to pay €460k (£390k) plus interest in performance-related add-ons.

They were initially told in October 2021 that they would be imposed with a transfer ban if they failed to pay Leicester the outstanding amount and have now been punished, meaning they will be unable to register new signings - both domestically and internationally.

FIFA stated that the ban would last for three consecutive transfer and registration windows and have been warned that it would be taken to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee if they hadn't paid Leicester by the end of the ban.

Al Nassr have added that the incident took place before the Saudi Public Investment Fund's takeover and that the new structure in place will enable them to pay Leicester in order to lift the ban.

Related links:

• Newcastle in talks to host Saudi Arabia international fixture
• Premier League demanded proof Chelsea are not owned by Saudi Arabia
• Gary Neville calls for Premier League to put an instant halt on Saudi Arabia transfers