A CAS award and a FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision leave the NPFL club facing a registration ban unless it pays within 15 days.
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FIFA has ordered NPFL club Katsina United to pay former head coach Tony Tope Bulus ₦28 million, the compensation awarded for the wrongful termination of his contract. The club must pay and send proof to FIFA within 15 days of receiving the instruction.
It must also pay a $5,000 fine to FIFA for failing to comply with the decision. If it doesn’t pay within the deadline, FIFA will ban the club from registering new players until the full amount is settled. The NFF letter doesn’t mention points deductions, although some reports suggest they could follow.
How the Case Reached FIFA
Bulus signed a two year contract on August 10, 2023. Katsina United suspended him in November 2023 and sacked him in December, citing what it described as rude behaviour toward the club’s management.
Bulus took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, backed by advocacy group African Coaches Connect. On June 30, 2026, CAS awarded him ₦28 million for the wrongful termination. NPFL followers can play the NPFL on Super9ja while the dispute continues.
FIFA’s Decision
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings on September 11 under Article 21 of its Disciplinary Code, which covers failure to respect decisions. The Disciplinary Committee issued its decision on September 21, and the NFF forwarded it to the club in a letter dated October 2.
Katsina United chairman Surajo Baba Malumfashi declined to comment, saying he was not aware of the letter, according to The Guardian.
A registration ban would stop Katsina United from signing new players, which could hurt squad building. New bettors following the club can read the Bet9ja promo code for first-timers.
What Comes Next
Katsina United visit Inter Lagos on Sunday, October 4, at 4pm. They are 11th with eight points from six games.
If the club received the letter on October 2, the deadline would fall around October 17.
Will Katsina United pay before the deadline? Fans following the story can check YOHAIG’s Bet9ja beginner bonus before the weekend.
📌 Did You Know?
- The CAS case number was 2024/A/10789.
- African Coaches Connect says this is its second successful arbitration award for coaches in Nigeria and its ninth across Africa.
- Before Katsina United, Bulus was head coach of Yobe Stars.
- His successor at Katsina United was Bala Abubakar, who was given a one-year deal.
- Katsina United were 11th with 11 points from eight games when Bulus was suspended in November 2023.
- The club won promotion to the NPFL in 2016 after reverting to its original name, Katsina United, in February that year.
