Botafogo receives fourth FIFA transfer ban over unpaid Zenit debt

Botafogo received its fourth FIFA transfer ban Wednesday, May 27, prohibiting the club from registering players for three transfer windows. The sanction stems from an unpaid debt to Russian club Zenit for the purchase of striker Artur.

The outstanding amount consists of three installments of 1.9 million euros each, totaling approximately 33.6 million Brazilian reals. Artur, currently on loan at São Paulo, remains registered to Botafogo.

The club has accumulated multiple transfer bans over recent months. In late 2025, Botafogo was sanctioned over a debt related to the signing of midfielder Thiago Almada from Atlanta United. The Argentine player now plays for Atlético Madrid. Botafogo was removed from that transfer ban list on February 6.

On April 20, the club received another transfer ban due to unpaid amounts for defender Rwan Cruz, signed from Bulgarian club Ludogorets. Cruz is currently on loan back to Ludogorets. That ban also covers three transfer windows.

A third transfer ban was imposed May 7 for an outstanding payment related to the signing of Santiago Rodríguez from Major League Soccer club New York City.

In January, club owner John Textor secured a 25 million dollar loan from GDA Luma, a company currently favored to acquire Botafogo's SAF (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol). As part of an agreement with Atlanta United regarding the Almada debt, Botafogo paid 10 million dollars, approximately 49.1 million Brazilian reals at current exchange rates.