Peter Kanjere
April 28, 2026FIFA lifts player transfer ban on AS Vita Club
Photo Credit: AS Vita Facebook page
FIFA lifts player transfer ban on AS Vita Club
FIFA has lifted the ban it imposed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) top-flight league side, AS Vita Club, from registering new players.
In particular, the Kinshasa-based giants were penalised earlier this year over dues owed to Mauritanian defender Sid’Ahmed Ablla.
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The Linafoot Ligue 1 outfit was banned alongside 20 other teams over unresolved payment issues with their respective players and coaches.
Communication from FIFA issued earlier this year showed that the other affected clubs were then CR Belouizdad, Zamalek SC, Wiliete SC, Vision FC, Ngezi Platinum FC, Al Ahly Benghazi, Singida Black Stars, Kengold SC, TS Galaxy, Free State Stars, Nkana FC, Africa Sports d’Abidjan, Al Nasr, Sagrada Esperança, TRA United SC, St George SC, Al Falah Atbara, and Accra Hearts of Oak. Some of the teams have since had their bans lifted.
Why AS Vita were penalised
The ban meant that AS Vita could not sign any new player until all outstanding dues were cleared.
Now, in a letter dated 28 April 2026, FIFA Head of Disciplinary, Americo Espallargas, confirmed the lifting of the sanctions on the Lifafoot Ligue side.
“We refer to the abovementioned matter in which a registration ban related to the decision issued in the case ref. FPSD-21816 had been imposed on AS VITA Club (the Respondent),” reads part of the letter.
“To that effect, we acknowledge receipt of the correspondence filled by Sid’Ahmed Ablla (the creditor) via the FIFA Legal Portal according to which the Creditor has entered into a settlement agreement with the Respondent.
The letter adds: “Consequently, we inform you that the present proceedings against the Respondent are hereby closed and its ban on registering any new players has been permanently lifted.
“As such, the Congo DR Football Association is hereby requested to immediately lift the ban imposed on the Respondent at national level.
“For the sake of good order, we would like to clarify that such order is exclusively related to the ban imposed in relation to the captioned matter and is without prejudice of any other ban that may be currently imposed on the respondent.”
AS Vita celebrate lifting of sanctions
In a statement, AS Vita confirmed the development: “Lifting of the sanction ban on registering new recruits. VClub allowed to register new players.”
AS Vita Club are considered among the giants of African football boasting one CAF Champions League won in 1973 and 15 Linafoot Ligue 1 titles to their credit.
