Staff Reporter

Malawian football powerhouse Nyasa Big Bullets have been hit with a transfer ban by FIFA after failing to pay compensation to Zimbabwean midfielder Ronald Chitiyo following an illegal termination of his contract.

The world football governing body imposed the sanctions after the club missed a 45-day deadline to pay Chitiyo a sum of US$15,200.

The compensation was ordered by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber after ruling that Bullets had breached the contract by releasing the player without following due process.

The ban immediately prevents Nyasa Big Bullets from registering any new players, either domestically or internationally, until the outstanding debt is fully settled.

The restriction can remain in effect for a maximum of three consecutive registration periods.

Chitiyo, who now plays for Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Green Fuel FC, had signed a three-year contract with Bullets on April 2, 2024, but was released after just one season.

The termination was part of a clear-out that also saw the departure of fellow Zimbabweans Collins Mujuru and Kenneth Pasuwa, the son of former coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who left the club at the end of his contract last year.