Vitória faces FIFA transfer ban over unpaid debt to Portimonense

Brazilian club Esporte Clube Vitória has been hit with a FIFA transfer ban because it owes Portuguese side Portimonense SC roughly €110,000 (about US$129,000) linked to the 2025 sale of defender Wagner Leonardo to Grêmio. The ban prevents Vitória from registering any new players until the outstanding amount is settled. President Fábio Mota explained that the club plans to negotiate a payment schedule with Portimonense even though Grêmio has not yet transferred its share of the fee. The debt arose because Grêmio failed to pay the portion of the transfer that was due to Portimonense, while Vitória retained 20% of Leonardo’s economic rights and is responsible for the 10% owed to the Portuguese club. The sanction is temporary and will be lifted once the debt is cleared.