FIFA rules in favour of Nigeria’s Megamu Academy in battle with Watford over Super Eagles star

English Championship side Watford FC have been hit with an international transfer ban by FIFA following their failure to pay solidarity compensation to Samuel Kalu’s former training club, Megamu Football Academy, Soccernet.ng reports.

Samuel Kalu joined Watford from French side Girondins Bordeaux in January 2022. As part of the transfer process, Megamu Academy approached Watford for their due solidarity compensation entitlements.

However, the London club did not comply with the request, prompting Megamu Academy to escalate the matter to FIFA.

FIFA, the world football governing body, ruled in favour of Megamu Football Academy and ordered Watford to pay the Nigerian club within 45 days.

Unfortunately, the Championship side failed to meet this deadline, leading Megamu Football Academy Club, represented by their attorneys, Activity Chambers, to request the implementation of a transfer ban on Watford.

FIFA duly obliged and imposed the ban from registering new players internationally, effective from 19 July 2023.

The letter notifying Watford of the ban was signed by FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s Head of Judicial Bodies (Adjudicatory), Julien Deux, and was also copied to the English FA.

In addition to the international transfer ban, FIFA requested the Football Association to enforce a ban on registering new players at the national level for Watford.

However, according to reports from the Watford Observer, the club is confident that the issue is an administrative matter that is close to being resolved. However, until the matter is resolved and the required payments are made to Megamu Academy, the ban will remain in effect.

Before the FIFA ban, Watford had already sanctioned the departures of William Troost-Ekong to PAOK Salonika, João Pedro to Brighton, and Joseph Hungbo to FC Nuremberg.

On the other hand, the Hornets have made some acquisitions, welcoming Rhys Healey and Jake Livermore on free transfers.