Sochi aim to resolve registration ban by end of October

Russian football club Sochi hope to settle their debt to Maccabi Tel Aviv by the end of October and resolve the resulting FIFA registration ban, chief executive Sergei Novikov told TASS on October 14.

The ban has been in place since September 9 and covers three transfer windows. The debt relates to the signing of defender Nemanja Stojic.

Novikov said technical difficulties had affected the money transfer, but a suitable payment solution had been found. Sochi remained in contact with Maccabi and had notified FIFA about the situation.

He said the final payment was scheduled before the end of October, after which confirmation would be sent to both parties. His remarks describe an expected settlement rather than an announced FIFA decision lifting the ban.