FIFA imposes transfer ban on Botafogo for outstanding payment to Atlanta over Almada deal

On Wednesday, FIFA imposed a transfer ban spanning three windows on Brazilian side Botafogo due to an outstanding debt connected to their acquisition of Argentine star Thiago Almada from Atlanta United in Major League Soccer.

Atlanta United lodged a formal dispute with FIFA, seeking $21 million that Botafogo has yet to pay for the World Cup champion, whom they brought on board in 2024.

This penalty appears on FIFA's official Registration Ban register and will commence from December 31, 2025.

The 24-year-old Almada secured the Brazilian league title and Copa Libertadores success with the Rio-based outfit, after which they arranged a loan move to Lyon in France during January 2025, followed by a permanent transfer to Atletico Madrid later that July.

Acquired by American investor John Textor back in 2022, Botafogo released a statement indicating ongoing discussions with Atlanta United aimed at settling the matter amicably.

The club noted that negotiations paused over the festive period and plan to pick them up shortly, with intentions to settle everything prior to or right at the beginning of the upcoming January transfer period.

Through his Eagle Football Holdings group, Textor controls both Botafogo and Lyon, and until recently maintained a partial ownership in English Premier League team Crystal Palace.

Currently, both Botafogo and Lyon face various legal challenges stemming from financial obligations.

This term, Crystal Palace suffered a drop from the Europa League into the Europa Conference League, attributed to Textor's ties with both Palace and Lyon, the latter of whom retained their spot in the UEFA secondary tournament by placing above Palace in their respective national standings from the previous campaign.