The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has lifted a player registration ban that was imposed on Malawi club FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in September last year.

A verdict seen by Bola News reveals that on January 2, 2025, Bullets terminated a three-year deal they had signed with Zimbabwean attacker Ronald Chitiyo.

The agreement had been made on March 25, 2024, and was set to run until March 31, 2027.

Bullets terminated the contract on the basis that Chitiyo failed to play in at least 50 percent of the season’s games.

Following the termination, Chitiyo joined Green Fuel of Zimbabwe on January 14. In March 2025, he filed a claim with FIFA, alleging that Bullets had not provided sufficient reasons to justify the contract termination.

According to the verdict, Chitiyo sought compensation for the residual value of the contract, totaling USD 32,400, representing 27 monthly salaries of USD 1,200 each. He also demanded MK 1,296,000, representing 108 weekly training allowances of MK 12,000 each.

However, FIFA ruled that Bullets should compensate Chitiyo with only USD 15,200, noting that the player had found new employment just days after his contract was terminated.

“Pursuant to article 24 of the regulations on the status and transfer of players, if full payment is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision, the respondent be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amount is paid. The maximum duration of the ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods,” reads part of the verdict.

Bullets pay with interest

Bullets failed to make payment within 45 days, and in September, FIFA proceeded to ban them from registering players.

On Tuesday, however, Bullets paid the outstanding amount with the 5 per cent interest as demanded by FIFA, and on Wednesday night, the ban was lifted.

The letter, signed by FIFA’s Head of Disciplinary, Américo Espallargas, reads: “We take note from the mentioned correspondence that the Creditor has received the amounts due by Bullets (the Respondent) in accordance with the decision passed by a body, a committee, a subsidiary or an instance of FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport as described in these proceedings.

“As a consequence, we inform you that the present proceedings against the Respondent are hereby closed and its ban to register any new players has been permanently lifted.”

Chitiyo also confirmed to Bola News that payment has been made. “Yes I have seen that,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

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