Bashkimi handed transfer ban by FIFA

FIFA has imposed a transfer ban on Bashkimi, the Kumanovo-based club in the Macedonian First League, preventing the team from registering new players for the next three transfer windows. The suspension took effect on October 19, 2026.

Penalty tied to unpaid obligations

The disciplinary measure follows findings that Bashkimi failed to settle outstanding debts owed to players. FIFA regularly applies such bans to clubs that do not meet their contractual or financial obligations to footballers.

The club can have the suspension lifted immediately if it pays the outstanding amounts to the affected players; otherwise the ban will remain in force for the duration of the three transfer periods.

Prior to the decision, Bashkimi had already completed several foreign signings and assembled what observers called a relatively strong squad by domestic standards. Despite those reinforcements, the unresolved payments led to the international disciplinary action.

Bashkimi is not the first Macedonian club to be hit with a FIFA transfer restriction for unpaid debts, a sanction that has appeared in previous cases involving teams in the country.

Photo: press material from the event