Botafogo Banned Over Unpaid Almada Transfer Fee

Brazilian football club Botafogo has been hit with a significant sanction by FIFA, facing a ban on registering new players for the next three transfer windows. The disciplinary action comes after the club failed to settle an outstanding transfer fee for Argentine World Cup-winning midfielder Thiago Almada.

FIFA announced the decision on Wednesday, following a formal complaint lodged by Major League Soccer (MLS) side Atlanta United. According to the complaint, Botafogo has yet to pay the agreed $2.1 million transfer fee owed for Almada’s move in 2024. FIFA has now included Botafogo on its “registration ban” list, with the sanction taking effect from 31 December 2025.

Almada, aged 24, enjoyed considerable success at Botafogo, helping the club secure the Brazilian league title and the Copa Libertadores before departing for French outfit Lyon in January 2025. Later, in July of the same year, Botafogo sold the midfielder to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid.

Ownership and Financial Context

Botafogo, which was acquired by US businessman John Textor in 2022, issued a statement confirming ongoing talks with Atlanta United. “Negotiations are temporarily paused due to the holiday season,” the club said. “We are optimistic that a resolution will be reached either before or at the start of the January transfer window.”

Textor’s ownership extends to both Botafogo and Lyon, and until earlier this year, he also held minor stakes in English Premier League club Crystal Palace. Legal and financial complications across these clubs have already had sporting consequences: despite Crystal Palace qualifying for the Europa League, they were instead entered into the Europa Conference League, while Lyon maintained their European competition slot thanks to a superior domestic league finish.

This episode highlights the increasing complexity of modern football ownership, where cross-continental holdings, unpaid fees, and legal disputes can significantly affect clubs’ operations, transfers, and eligibility for competitions. For Botafogo, the registration ban serves as a stark reminder of the importance of financial discipline in the global football marketplace.