FIFA has ordered NPFL club Katsina United to pay coach Tony Tope Bulus N28 million over the termination of his contract, Trybal News reports.
The world football governing body also fined the club $5,000 for failing to comply with an earlier ruling in the case.
The latest decision follows a dispute over the termination of Bulus’ employment contract with Katsina United in 2023.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) informed the club of FIFA’s decision in a letter dated 2 October 2026.
The letter, titled ‘Re-Forwarding the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee Regarding In Case FFD-28984,’ referred to a FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision dated 21 September 2026.
According to the NFF, FIFA has given Katsina United 15 days to pay the compensation and submit proof of payment.
The club must also pay the $5,000 fine to FIFA within the same period.
Katsina United face transfer ban and points deduction
The dispute dates back to 2023, when Katsina United terminated Bulus’ contract after accusing him of unruly behaviour and poor team performances.
Bulus challenged the decision and took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On 30 June 2026, CAS ordered Katsina United to pay Bulus N28 million as compensation for the wrongful termination of his employment contract, which was dated 10 August 2023.
However, the club did not settle the judgment debt. As a result, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Katsina United on 18 September 2026.
FIFA has now moved to enforce the CAS ruling and instructed the club to settle the outstanding compensation.
The NFF letter stated: “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and the correspondence from FIFA Disciplinary Committee dated 21st September, 2026.
“It is my instruction to inform you that FIFA Disciplinary Committee has issued a decision in Ref. No. FDD-28984, on 21st September, 2026 in respect of the case involving Katsina United FC and Coach Toney Tope Bulus.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport issued an Award on 30th June, 2026 in fovour of the Judgement Creditor, Tony Tope Bulus to the tune of Twenty Eight Million Naira (N28,000,000), as compensation for the wrongful termination of the Employment Contract dated 10th August, 2023. As a result of failure of Katsina United to pay the judgement sum, FIFA Disciplinary Committee has issued a decision to enforce same.
“You are hereby directed to pay the sum of Twenty Eight Million Naira (28,000,000) to Coach Tony Tope Bulus and file the proof of payment to FIFA within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of this letter. You are further directed to pay the sum of USD 5,000 to FIFA, as fine for failure to comply with the decision. Such payment shall be made into the account details provided by FIFA, and attached herein, within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of this letter. Failure to comply with this directive within the stipulated period, a ban on registering new players will be issued and enforced on Katsina United FC by FIFA, without further decision, until the complete amount due is paid.”
FIFA also warned that further sanctions could follow if Katsina United fail to comply with the ruling.
It warned the club to note that “deductions of points or relegation to a lower league may be ordered in addition to the registration ban in the event of continuous failure to comply in full.”
The Guardian Nigeria reported that Bulus pursued legal action after Katsina United dismissed him in 2023.
Katsina United chairman Surajo Baba Malumfashi declined to comment on the latest development, saying he had not seen the letter.
He said: “I will make my comments only when I see the letter. For now, I have nothing to say.”
