FIFA clears Al-Nassr to resume transfers before January window

December 24, 2025 Oliver Obel

FIFA has lifted a registration ban on Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr after determining that the club had met its regulatory obligations, allowing it to sign new players when the January transfer window opens.

Al-Nassr had appeared on FIFA’s publicly updated list of sanctioned clubs on December 19, alongside several teams from the Middle East. The Riyadh-based side was removed from the list within days, indicating the matter had been resolved ahead of the next registration period.

GOAL reported that Al-Nassr moved quickly to satisfy FIFA’s requirements, prompting the governing body to formally close the case. FIFA does not typically publish detailed explanations for financial enforcement decisions, and no official reason for the ban was provided.

However, Al Riyadhiya reported that the issue was linked to a delayed payment related to Aymeric Laporte’s transfer from Manchester City in August 2023. According to the report, an instalment of €9 million due by the end of August was not paid on schedule, leading FIFA to impose a temporary sanction.

The episode reflects a broader trend of stricter oversight by FIFA in recent seasons, with registration bans increasingly used to enforce financial compliance across multiple leagues. Al-Nassr have previously faced similar scrutiny, with past cases resolved once outstanding obligations were settled.

Confirmation that the latest matter had been concluded came from transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who said FIFA had acknowledged the club’s “full compliance with rules” and permanently lifted the ban as Al-Nassr plan for the 2026 cycle.

While Al-Nassr are now free to operate in the transfer market, other Saudi Pro League clubs including Al-Riyadh, Al-Shabab and Al-Wehda remain subject to registration embargoes spanning multiple windows.

The timing of the decision is favourable for Al-Nassr, who currently lead the Saudi Pro League after nine matches, holding a four-point advantage over Al-Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo has been central to that run, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances across competitions this season.

Since joining the club in late 2022, the Portuguese forward has won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, his only team trophy in Saudi Arabia to date. With renewed flexibility in the transfer market and a strong league position, Al-Nassr now have a clearer opportunity to convert form into sustained success.

Sources: GOAL, Al Riyadhiya