FIFA has issued a formal enforcement order against Nigeria Premier Football League club Katsina United, demanding the club pay N28 million to former head coach Tony Tope Bulus as compensation for the wrongful termination of his employment contract.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in Bulus's favour on June 30, 2026, awarding him the sum after Katsina United abruptly ended his two-year contract — signed in August 2023 — midway through his tenure. Despite the award, the club failed to honour the payment, prompting the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to issue a formal enforcement decision on September 21, 2026.

NFF relays FIFA's ultimatum

The Nigeria Football Federation conveyed FIFA's directive to Katsina United in a letter dated October 2, 2026, referencing case number FDD-28984. The letter leaves little room for ambiguity: the club must settle the full N28 million owed to Bulus within 15 days of receiving the correspondence.

On top of the compensation, Katsina United are also required to pay a $5,000 fine to FIFA for failing to comply with the original ruling. Both payments must reach their respective recipients within the 15-day window.

Transfer ban the immediate consequence

Should Katsina United fail to meet the deadline, FIFA has warned it will impose an automatic ban on the club registering any new players — effective immediately and without the need for any further decision — until the outstanding amount is paid in full.

The case was pursued with the support of African Coaches Connect, an advocacy group that backs coaches navigating contractual disputes across the continent. Their involvement highlights growing pressure on African clubs to honour their obligations to technical staff.

Katsina United now face a tight window to resolve the matter and protect their squad-building capacity ahead of the ongoing NPFL season.