FIFA bans legendary Ukrainian club: What led to punishment
Chornomorets fights to return to UPL (FC Chornomorets)
FC Chornomorets Odesa faces strict FIFA sanctions, effective until 2027, according to the official website of the International Federation of Football.
How Odesa team was punished
FIFA has imposed a transfer ban on Chornomorets, effective December 10, 2025. The ban covers three transfer windows – effectively a year and a half, until summer 2027.
During this period, the Odesa club will not be able to sign new players or register those already invited.
Reason for sanctions
The decision was based on financial debts to former players and members of the coaching staff.
The club had previously faced a transfer ban. In December last year, Chornomorets was sanctioned due to unpaid wages to former player Luka Guček. In addition, Ziguy Badibanga, Orest Kuzyk, and Samson Iyede also filed complaints over unpaid salaries.
FIFA confirmed that the Mariners failed to meet their obligations, prompting the imposition of the strictest sanctions.
As a result, the club will have to complete the current season and enter the next one without the possibility of strengthening the squad. The only way to lift the ban is to fully resolve the financial disputes.
Chornomorets in 2025 – what is known
This year, the Odesa team started in the UPL but remained among the bottom teams. Despite a coaching change – Olexander Babich was replaced by Oleksandr Kucher in March – the team finished last and was relegated to the First League.
In the 2025/26 season, Chornomorets is fighting to return to the UPL. After 18 rounds in the First League, the team is in third place. With 38 points, it trails Kyiv’s Livyi Bereh (39) and the leader, Chernivtsi’s Bukovyna (48).
The team’s next official match will take place in 2026.
