Seoul: FIFA has penalized the South Korean national football federation and a local club for the latter’s violation of a player registration ban imposed last year. The Korea Football Association (KFA) reported that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee fined the KFA 30,000 Swiss francs (US$37,650) and the K League 1 club Gwangju FC 10,000 Swiss francs. Additionally, Gwangju FC faces a ban from signing new players over the next two registration periods.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the fine imposed on the KFA will be suspended if it refrains from similar violations over the next year. For Gwangju FC, the ban on the second registration period will be suspended for a year. They will be unable to acquire players during the first half of 2026 but can do so later that year if no further violations occur.
On December 17, 2024, FIFA imposed a registration ban on Gwangju FC due to their failure to pay $3,000 in FIFA solidarity contributions after signing Jasir Asani from Albania two years earlier. These fees are distrib
uted to players’ former clubs for their development between the ages of 12 and 23.
Gwangju FC was unaware of the ban as the KFA had forwarded FIFA’s decision to a club employee on leave, and the email was not shared with other officials. Consequently, Gwangju FC deployed newly signed players during the early 2025 K League 1 season. Rival clubs argued that Gwangju’s matches should be forfeited and declared 3-0 losses.
FIFA lifted the ban in May after Gwangju FC completed the payment. Before this decision, the KFA opted not to penalize Gwangju FC or rule their new players ineligible, citing the incident as an “unintentional administrative mistake.”
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee concluded that the KFA and Gwangju FC had “clearly violated” the initial registration ban. FIFA informed the KFA of its right to appeal within five days of notification, but the KFA stated it would accept the penalty and focus on improving its administration to prevent future incidents.