FIFA bans Étoile du Sahel from transfers over Boutmène dispute

Tunisian side Étoile Sportive du Sahel has been banned from bringing in new players by world football governing body FIFA. ESS received the punishment after former player Zineddine Boutmène sued the club over unresolved payments.

The Algerian forward played for the Sahel club from 2021 up until 2023. He now enjoys his football back in his native Algeria with CR Belouizdad. Boutmène, 24, departed from Étoile du Sahel and filed a complaint to FIFA.

According to Tunisian daily La Presse, FIFA has sanctioned the club from signing new players for three consecutive transfer periods. The sanction will remain in effect until Étoile du Sahel settles any outstanding payments owed to Boutmène.

Boutmène drew significant attention when he moved from Club Africain to Étoile du Sahel. His former club in Algeria, NA Hussein Dey, claimed a transfer fee from the Tunis side despite Boutmène never having played a match for them. FIFA stepped in, ultimately ruling in favor of the Algerian club and awarding them 200,000 euros from the transfer. Boutmène had impressed top Tunisian clubs with his outstanding performances during the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

Étoile du Sahel are currently fourth in the Tunisian Ligue 1 with 51 points, five points behind their Classico rivals Espérance.