Shafaq News- Najaf

FIFA has closed disciplinary proceedings against Iraq's Najaf FC and permanently lifted the registration ban linked to the case after the club settled the required payments.

In a letter, FIFA said its Clearing House had received the training rewards due from Najaf, while its Finance Department confirmed payment of a CHF 1,000 fine. The governing body also asked the Iraqi Football Association to immediately lift the corresponding national-level ban.

The decision applies only to this case and does not affect any other registration ban that may currently be imposed on the club, FIFA clarified.

Najaf's interim administration welcomed the closure of the proceedings and credited licensing director Hasnain Falah with completing the required procedures.

President Ammar Najm told Shafaq News in July that unpaid dues included 550 million Iraqi dinars (~$420K) owed to local players, 3.2 billion dinars ($2.44M) in older obligations and another $500,000 owed to foreign players following disciplinary cases and penalties.

The financial problems had already prompted Najaf to suspend sporting activities in December 2025. Najaf later finished 19th in the 2025/26 Iraq Stars League with 25 points from 38 matches and were relegated from the top flight.