Cameroon giants Coton Sport hit with recruitment ban and fine

Coton Sport de Garoua, the 18-time club champions of Cameroon, have reportedly been hit with substantial sanctions from FIFA to further the club’s ongoing issues.

Les Cotonniers are banned from recruiting players or technical staff and were issued a 45 million CFA ($80,550) fine by FIFA due to the improper dismissal of former coach Daniel Breard. The Frenchman brought a case to FIFA after being forced out of the club in 2024 and world football’s governing body handed down its judgment on Thursday.

After winning three consecutive Cameroonian top flight titles between 2020 and 2023, the giants from the country’s North Region have failed to meet expectations. The club finished as runners-up following the 2023-24 season before falling to a fourth place finish last season.

Without the ability to bring in new players, the ban comes at a difficult time with the 2025-26 Elite One season fast approaching. The transfer deadline for Cameroonian clubs is on October 4 and it appears that Coton Sport will have to wait until the midpoint of the season before they can acquire any new players.

The club announced their intentions to appeal the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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