FIFA bans Botafogo from transfers for three windows due to an unpaid $21 million fee for Thiago Almada, owed to Atlanta United.
BRAZILIAN football club Botafogo have been hit with a three-window transfer ban by FIFA.
The sanction is due to an unpaid debt relating to the signing of Argentinian international Thiago Almada from MLS club Atlanta United.
Atlanta United filed a complaint with FIFA, claiming $21 million in unpaid transfer fees.
ALSO READ: Ancelotti’s son Davide named Botafogo coach
Botafogo signed the World Cup winner in 2024.
The sanction was posted on FIFA’s Registration Ban list and takes effect on December 31, 2025.
Almada, 24, won the Brazilian championship and Copa Libertadores with the Rio de Janeiro club.
He was then loaned to French club Lyon in January 2025 before being sold to Atletico Madrid in July.
Botafogo, purchased by US businessman John Textor in 2022, said they are in contact with Atlanta United to try and reach an agreement.
“Talks have been put on hold due to the holiday season and will resume soon,” the club wrote.
They added they hoped to resolve the situation “before the opening or at the start of the next transfer window” in January.
Textor owns both Botafogo and Lyon through his Eagle Football Holdings conglomerate.
It also held a minority stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace until earlier this year.
Botafogo and Lyon are both embroiled in legal issues related to debts.
Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League this season.
This was due to Textor’s involvement with both them and Lyon.
Lyon had also qualified for UEFA’s secondary competition but maintained their place having finished higher than Palace in their domestic league last season. – AFP
