FIFA has ruled against Dong A Thanh Hoa FC in a lawsuit filed by Serbian coach Svetislav Tanasijevic over unpaid financial obligations, imposing a ban on the V.League 1 club from registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows.

The registration ban, effective from March 25, will remain in place until the Vietnamese club settles the outstanding payment owed to Tanasijevic as per FIFA’s ruling.

Tanasijevic joined Dong A Thanh Hoa FC, also known as Thanh Hoa FC, in the 2021 season as an assistant coach to his fellow Serbian, Ljupko Petrovic. 

After Petrovic’s departure, Tanasijevic was promoted to interim head coach. 

However, his performance did not meet expectations, leading to a reassignment as the director of the Thanh Hoa youth academy and the coach of both the U19 and U21 teams.

Following the termination of his contract by the club in October 2023, Tanasijevic took legal action against the V.League 1 club, filing a complaint with FIFA to demand payment of unpaid wages.

According to Thanh Hoa FC, FIFA ordered the club to pay three months of salary to the Serbian coach. 

The club made the payment but claimed it was unsuccessful for an unspecified reason, leading to FIFA’s sanctions.

“We transferred three months’ salary to Mr. Tanasijevic, but we don’t understand why it hasn’t been legally confirmed,” Cao Tien Duc, CEO of Thanh Hoa FC, stated in an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. 

“He demanded additional payments that were not justified, so FIFA only required us to pay the last three months’ salary, around US$16,000 to $18,000. 

“If we file a complaint, we must pay a fee of $20,000.”

Thanh Hoa FC are currently investigating the issue to resolve the obstacle preventing them from registering new players. 

Previously, Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, also competing in Vietnam’s top-tier V.League 1, was banned by FIFA from registering new players for a similar issue involving unpaid wages to Ghanaian striker Martin Dzilah.

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