Esperance to face FIFA suspension over Harrison Afful debt

Esperance could be suspended from international football shortly for failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars owed former player Harrison Afful, GHANASocccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

It is however not clear whether it is a case of refusal to pay or inability to pay.

This development will be seen as a major embarrassment for Esperance since Afful, 29, was one of the club's best players in the seasons before.

Afful's solitary strike earned the Blood and Gold the CAF Champions League in 2011.

He made 114 appearances, scored 11 goals and provided 25 assists in the six years he was with the club.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is not expected to give Espérance a third chance to delay settling the debt, after the club missed two previous deadlines. The club also failed or refused to pay a fine in the tens of thousands to FIFA.

Afful, the Ghana international right-back, left Esperance in June 2015 after the expiration of his contract and signed for Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew.

He filled a case months ago at FIFA and won the claims on owed salaries and bonuses.

If the money is not paid immediately, Espérance will be suspended from football for the act of defiance.

The Tunisian FA, it is understood, has been asked by FIFA to explain Espérance's behaviour.