Thanh Hoa FC has been banned from transfers by FIFA due to losing a lawsuit against a former coach

Zurich, April 1, 2025 – The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has imposed a transfer ban on Thanh Hoa FC, prohibiting the club from registering new players across three consecutive transfer windows. The ruling stems from a legal defeat to former coach Svetislav Tanasijevic over unpaid wages. However, Thanh Hoa FC insists they’ve fulfilled their financial obligations to Tanasijevic and are awaiting FIFA’s review to lift the sanction.

FIFA’s latest statement confirmed the penalty after Thanh Hoa failed to settle the dispute. Tanasijevic, a Serbian coach, served as assistant to Velizar Popov during the 2021 and 2022 V-League seasons. Following Popov’s departure, Tanasijevic stepped in as interim head coach before transitioning to Director of the club’s Youth Training Center. His tenure ended in mid-2023, sparking the payment row. Thanh Hoa claims all dues—reportedly around $50,000 in back wages—were cleared, but FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber sided with Tanasijevic, citing incomplete documentation from the club.

Post-Tanasijevic, Thanh Hoa thrived under Popov’s return, clinching two National Cup titles (2023, 2024) and the 2023 Super Cup. The ban, effective from the summer 2025 window, threatens their momentum as they sit third in the V-League 2024/2025 with ambitions for AFC Champions League qualification. “We’ve complied and are optimistic FIFA will reconsider,” a club spokesperson said.

This isn’t a first for Vietnamese football. In 2023, Hoang Anh Gia Lai faced a similar FIFA ban over unpaid wages to foreign player Martin Dzilah. Hoang Anh Gia Lai resolved the issue—paying out $80,000—and had the sanction lifted within months. Thanh Hoa now hopes for a swift resolution, though the process could drag into late 2025, impacting squad planning. The club’s reliance on local talent like Le Van Dai and foreign stars like Rimario Gordon may be tested if the ban persists.

FIFA’s crackdown reflects a broader push to enforce financial accountability in Southeast Asian football, where payment disputes with foreign staff have spiked. Thanh Hoa, a two-time cup winner with a growing fanbase, must now navigate this setback while preparing for their National Cup semifinal against Nam Dinh on April 22. The outcome of their appeal could define their season.