3rd September, Kolkata: FIFA’s registration ban has left Mohammedan SC facing a major challenge ahead of the CFL Super Six and the upcoming I-League season. The club will be unable to register new players until January 1, 2027, unless the outstanding dues triggering the ban are settled earlier.
Mohammedan SC faced a big challenge before the ‘Super Six’ matches of the Calcutta Football League, as they will not be able to sign any players before 1st January, 2027.
On 2nd September, 2026, the club management addressed the issue at a press conference and criticised the previous management for not cooperating with them on the papers. Previously, on July 7 2026, FIFA said in a letter,
“We wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent.” It also added, “The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.”
The ban was imposed on them as they have failed to pay Argentine midfielder Alexis Nahuel Gomez his dues in the 2024-25 season.
A major setback ahead of the new season
Mohammedan SC has struggled in recent seasons, and turmoil within the club has impacted their performance on the field. In preparation for the upcoming season, the new management has begun efforts to strengthen the team. They have appointed a new head coach to replace Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who resigned from the position. James McAloon, a UEFA Pro Licence holder currently coaching a club in the Vietnamese league, will take over as the new head coach.
On Thursday afternoon, the club’s current secretary Wasim Akram held an explosive press conference with president Ghazal Jafar at the club tent. There, he alleged that the outgoing committee had informed the current committee about the FIFA ban, but had deliberately left a large gap in the main information. He claimed that a plan was hatched to put the current committee in danger by maintaining confusion regarding the outstanding money of Brazilian footballer Franca. Akram clearly said, “This information was hidden to put us in turmoil, and after asking so many times for the papers, the previous management has not sent anything.”
He also added,
“Despite such a conspiracy, Mohammedan Sporting will quickly return to its former glory, and we will bring success on the field.”
What will be the future of Mohammedan SC?
This ban will mean that the newly signed players like Sushnata Mullick, Prabhat Lakhra, Ankit Mukherjee and Crispen Cleetus, along with the newly signed head coach, will not be able to take part on the field. Due to FIFA regulations, it will not be possible to officially register these footballers until January 1, 2027. As a result, the black-and-white brigade will have to compete in the crucial ‘Super Six’ phase of the Calcutta Football League (CFL), the traditional IFA Shield, and at least three early matches of the I-League without these newcomers. However, even though they cannot participate in the matches, the players will start regular training with the squad to ensure the team’s overall preparation.
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