FC Bunyodkor Faces FIFA Transfer Embargo Over Unpaid Debt to Rivaldo
Uzbekistan’s FC Bunyodkor is on the brink of severe sporting sanctions after receiving an official warning from FIFA concerning a long-standing financial dispute with former player Rivaldo Ferreira. The club now faces mounting pressure, public scrutiny and a comprehensive transfer ban if the outstanding debt is not settled promptly.
The conflict between the Tashkent-based side and the Brazilian football icon stems from his stint at the club between 2008 and 2010. The matter was previously escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. In November 2023, CAS ruled in favour of the player and ordered the Uzbek club to pay the massive arrears.
By March 2024, both parties managed to reach a compromise. Bunyodkor successfully negotiated a reduction in the total amount owed and agreed to settle the debt through a series of scheduled instalments.
Missed deadlines and financial struggles
Initially, the club met its obligations with the financial backing of the state energy company Uzbekneftegaz. However, the payments scheduled to be completed by April 15, 2026 were missed due to sudden financial difficulties at the club.
In response to the missed deadline, the Brazilian star’s legal representatives issued a strict 48-hour ultimatum. They warned that if the arrears were not cleared immediately they would annul the previously agreed financial discount and petition FIFA for further compensation.
FIFA’s final warning
The situation escalated on May 14 when global football’s governing body officially notified Bunyodkor of impending disciplinary action. FIFA has granted the club a rigid 30-day window to clear the debt. Failure to comply will result in a strict embargo that will prevent the club from registering any new players.
This latest development follows a ruling by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in February 2024, which ordered Bunyodkor to pay approximately €9.2 mln to two of its former Brazilian players. Out of this total, the vast majority, €8.16 mln, is owed directly to Rivaldo, while the remainder belongs to his compatriot Denilson Martins.
