Katsina United Face FIFA Sanctions Over Unpaid N28m Debt to Former Coach

FIFA has started disciplinary proceedings against Katsina United FC after the club failed to fully pay up on a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that ordered it to compensate former coach Tony Tope Bulus.

In a letter dated September 11, 2026, and referenced FDD-28984, FIFA told Katsina United that ignoring the CAS award could count as a breach of Article 21 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, which covers failure to respect decisions.

The case goes back to a CAS ruling made on June 30, 2026 (CAS 2024/A/10789). That ruling ordered Katsina United to pay Bulus N28 million after he was wrongfully sacked from a contract he signed back in August 2023.

Because the club still hasn't paid, it's now facing extra financial and sporting penalties. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee Secretariat has proposed a $5,000 fine on top of the original sum, and has given the club 30 days to pay that fine and show proof it's been paid.

Katsina United has also been given another 30 day window, starting once the proposal is finalized, to actually pay Bulus the N28 million it owes him. If the club still hasn't paid after that, Fifa says a ban on registering new players could follow, if Bulus's side requests it, and that ban would stay in place until the debt is cleared.

Dr Johnny-Precious Ogbah of Activity Chambers, who is representing Bulus, spoke out after the latest Fifa letter and called on the club to settle the matter quickly.

"Katsina United failed to pay the judgment sum, they have now incurred an additional $5,000 penalty from FIFA," he said. "I urge the club to make haste and pay the outstanding sums due to Fifa and our client within the extension granted to them. Failure to comply could expose the club to serious sporting and financial consequences, including a ban on registering new players and further sanctions."

FIFA's letter was also sent to Bulus, his lawyer, and the Nigeria Football Federation.

Under Article 58 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code, Katsina United has five days from being notified to reject the proposed fine and take its case to the Fifa Disciplinary Committee. If the club agrees to the proposal, or simply doesn't respond in time, the sanction will automatically become final.

With the N28 million CAS award still unpaid, and now a Fifa fine and disciplinary process added on top, the pressure is mounting on Katsina United to finally close out the long-running dispute.