FIFA has lifted its transfer ban on Ghana Premier League club Karela United after the club paid money owed to former player Sana Camara.
The decision means Karela United can once again register new players, once the Ghana Football Association completes the required administrative procedures. The ban had prevented the club from strengthening its squad ahead of the 2026-27 Ghana Premier League season.
FIFA confirmed the development in a letter dated 20 August 2026, stating that disciplinary proceedings against Karela United had been closed. Camara, who was identified as the creditor in the case, confirmed that he had received the outstanding payment from the club.
The dispute followed an earlier ruling by a FIFA body, or the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in favour of the player. That decision led to Karela United being prohibited from registering new players until the debt had been paid.
FIFA Head of Disciplinary Americo Espallargas said the governing body had received correspondence confirming that the amounts due had been settled in line with the previous decision.
“As a consequence, we inform you that the present proceedings against the Respondent are hereby closed and its ban on registering any new players has been permanently lifted,” the letter said.
FIFA also directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to remove immediately the corresponding registration restriction imposed on Karela United at national level.
The club’s ban had been introduced only days before the latest decision, after FIFA sanctioned Karela United over the unpaid debt. That development had raised questions about whether the club would be able to improve its squad before the start of the new Ghana Premier League campaign.
With the settlement now confirmed, Karela United have regained access to the transfer market. The club can proceed with its recruitment plans after resolving the financial dispute and meeting the conditions required for the registration ban to be removed.
However, FIFA made clear that the decision applies only to the case involving Camara. It does not prevent further sanctions from being imposed on Karela United in relation to any other matters.
The resolution gives the club a boost as preparations continue for the 2026-27 season, although its immediate ability to register signings will depend on the GFA completing the necessary administrative steps.
Karela United must now focus on building their squad for the new campaign, having avoided the immediate consequences of the FIFA restriction through the settlement with their former player.
