Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr have been banned by FIFA from registering new players in a huge blow for the Saudi Pro League.
Al Nassr, who finished second in the top flight last year, kicked off Saudi's takeover of football when they brought in Ronaldo on an eye-watering £173 million-a-year contract in December 2022.
A slew of household names have moved to the Middle East in recent times, including Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy - while Steven Gerrard has become the new manager of Al Ettifaq.
Al Nassr have brought in Marcelo Brozovic from Champions League finalists Inter Milan but their transfer business might be done for the foreseeable future.
FIFA have prohibited the club from registering new signings, whether it be domestic or international transfers.
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The ruling imposed is for three transfer windows and is in relation to the club failing to pay owed add-ons to Leicester City as part of a £14 million deal for Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa.
It's said Nassr owe the Foxes £390,000 but have yet to pay up and have now been punished as a result.
Musa scored just five times for Leicester but he scored 14 times in 62 games for Al Nassr, helping them to win the league in the 2018/19 season.
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The initial FIFA ruling was brought in back in 2021 and then supported by CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), who sided with Leicester on the matter.
Nassr were told to pay the remaining fee as agreed upon on the terms of the contract, or else they would receive a transfer ban.
They have not complied and have since been disciplined, though the suspension is set to be lifted as the club have said they will promptly pay up.
With the new investment from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, Nassr are hopeful their new structure and improved finances will ensure such issues do not occur again.
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In November, Nassr had to pay $2.5 million to Brazilian midfielder Petros over a dispute in relation to his terminated contract.
Topics: Saudi Pro League, Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr
Josh Lawless