Botswana Premier League club Township Rollers have been banned by FIFA from registering new players after failing to settle an outstanding financial obligation to former University of Pretoria midfielder Thabiso Mokenkoane.
The sanction applies at both national and international level and will remain in place until the amount owed to Mokenkoane is paid.
FIFA regulations provide that such a registration ban can remain in force for a maximum of three entire and consecutive registration periods.
Dispute dates back to contract termination
Mokenkoane, who previously played for University of Pretoria, known as Tuks, had his contract with Township Rollers terminated last season.
The player challenged the termination and subsequently sought assistance from the Footballers Union of South Africa (FUSA).
FUSA secretary-general Taelo Motloung said the union initially attempted to resolve the dispute directly with Township Rollers before taking the matter to FIFA.
“We wrote a letter of demand to the club requesting them to pay what was due to the player, but we received no co-operation. We ended up taking the matter to FIFA, and FIFA ruled in favour of the player.”
According to Motloung, the club has still not made the required payment.
“The club hasn’t yet paid and now FIFA has ruled that they be banned from signing and registering new players with their league.”
Botswana FA ordered to enforce ban
FIFA documents confirm that the registration restriction follows an earlier ruling in favour of Mokenkoane.
The documents state that the ban will continue until Township Rollers fulfil their financial obligation, subject to the maximum three-registration-window limit.
FIFA has also instructed the Botswana Football Association to immediately enforce the national registration ban if it has not already done so.
Recruitment plans affected
The sanction could have a direct impact on Township Rollers’ transfer plans, as the club cannot register new players while the outstanding obligation remains unresolved.
The restriction can be lifted once the amount owed to Mokenkoane is paid. Otherwise, it will remain in effect for up to three consecutive registration periods.
The case also highlights FUSA’s role in assisting players with contractual disputes, including matters involving clubs outside South Africa.
For Township Rollers, resolving the outstanding payment will now be crucial if the club wants to continue strengthening its squad during the current transfer window.
