Richards Bay has confirmed that the FIFA-imposed transfer ban has been lifted.

As Sportswire reported earlier, the KwaZulu-Natal club was prohibited from registering players, both domestically and internationally, due to their “failure” to pay former defender Abdi Banda.

Banda was released at the end of last season, having not featured in any of the club’s promotion/relegation playoff matches under coach Vusi Vilakazi.

The former Baroka FC defender made only eight appearances across all competitions, as Richards Bay finished second-from-bottom in the league.

Banda’s final appearance for the club was particularly unfortunate, as he received a red card in a 3-0 away defeat to his former club, Chippa United, in March of last season.

This incident, deemed reckless by the club’s management, significantly reduced his subsequent playing time.

This situation led Richards Bay to terminate his contract, but the termination was deemed unlawful. The ban was to be lifted upon settlement of the outstanding payment.

The club has now confirmed that the matter has been resolved.

“Richards Bay Football Club would like to confirm that the matter between the club and FIFA regarding the registration ban has been lifted. The Club is now free to sign any player that is available,” the club stated in a press release on Wednesday.

This is the second instance of a PSL club being penalized for failing to pay Banda. Chippa United was previously banned after releasing Banda in 2023 while he was still under contract. Banda successfully pursued the matter through the FIFA Football Tribunal, as confirmed on the FIFA website. Chippa United, aware of the severe consequences imposed by FIFA, ultimately reached a settlement with the player.

This also marks the second time Richards Bay has been banned by FIFA for “unlawful” player releases.

They were previously banned after terminating the contract of Kenyan player Ovella Ochieng, with Richards Bay chairman Sifiso Biyela accusing the player of dishonesty.

Ochieng, from Kenya, was signed from Township Rollers before the resumption of the 2022/23 season’s second half, following the FIFA World Cup break. According to Biyela, Richards Bay reached a mutual agreement with Ochieng for his departure at the end of the season, including a settlement.

However, Ochieng later approached FIFA, alleging that the club withheld owed funds. This resulted in FIFA suspending Richards Bay’s ability to sign new players. However, Biyela subsequently paid the required R230,000.