FIFA ban Karela United from registering new players over unpaid debt ahead of 2026/27 GPL season

World football governing body FIFA has imposed a registration ban on Ghana Premier League club Karella United FC over outstanding financial obligations to former player Sana Camara.

The decision, contained in a letter dated 17 August 2026 and issued through FIFA's Legal Portal, prevents Karella United from registering new players at both international and national levels.

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, the ban will remain in force until the amount owed to Camara has been paid.

FIFA said the registration ban would apply for a maximum of three entire and consecutive registration periods if Karela United fails to settle the outstanding debt.

"In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Karela United FC ... has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Sana Camara," FIFA's Head of Disciplinary, Américo Espallargas, wrote in the notice.

The world governing body said it had therefore implemented a ban preventing the club from registering new players internationally and nationally.

"The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods," the letter stated.

FIFA has also instructed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to immediately implement a ban preventing Karella United from registering new players at national level, if such a restriction had not already been imposed.

The case stems from an earlier decision by FIFA in which Karela United was ordered to meet its financial obligations to Camara.

The latest notice indicates that the club has yet to fully comply with that decision, prompting FIFA to enforce the registration restriction.

The ban could have significant implications for Karela United's squad-building plans ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season, as the club will be unable to register new players until the outstanding amount is settled or the maximum period covered by the sanction expires.

The restriction applies to both international registrations, which are handled through FIFA's transfer system, and domestic registrations under the jurisdiction of the GFA.

Karela United will therefore need to resolve the dispute with Camara to have the sanction lifted and regain the ability to register players without restriction.

The FIFA communication was copied to Sana Camara, his representatives and the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Karela United is scheduled to open its new football campaign with an away trip to FC Samartex.