Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) has been banned by FIFA from registering new players for the next three transfer windows, effectively until the end of the 2027-2028 season. The announcement, updated on 15/9 on FIFA's dedicated page for sanctioned clubs, prohibits CAHN from buying, loaning, or promoting youth players to the first team. This sanction covers the mid-2026-2027, pre-2027-2028, and mid-2027-2028 transfer windows. The Vietnamese club will be eligible to re-enter the transfer market before the 2028-2029 season.

According to a VnExpress source, the ban stems from a contract dispute between CAHN and a foreign player prior to the 2026-2027 season. The club is currently negotiating with the player to resolve the issue and seek an early lifting of the FIFA sanction.

Bryan Perea (90), a Colombian forward for Hanoi Police FC, during the 1-4 loss to Gamba Osaka in the opening match of the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round - Asia region, at Suita Stadium, Osaka, Japan on 15/9/2026. Photo: AFC

Such registration bans are typically imposed due to financial disputes or violations of transfer regulations. Clubs often face sanctions for outstanding wages, bonuses, or compensation owed after terminating a player's contract. Other infractions include unpaid transfer fees or unauthorized approaches to players without their current club's consent. FIFA emphasizes that maintaining this list of sanctioned clubs is crucial for transparency and accountability within the football community.

CAHN is not the first Vietnamese club to face such a ban, and the resolution process is usually straightforward. Thanh Hoa FC, for instance, has been frequently sanctioned by FIFA for delayed payments to players and coaches, being named three times in the 2025-2026 season alone after complaints were filed. However, FIFA's resolution for these cases is not complex. Clubs can have their bans lifted immediately upon fulfilling financial obligations, which includes settling all debts and receiving confirmation from the plaintiff and an international bank.

Despite the transfer ban, CAHN is actively competing in four major tournaments this 2026-2027 season, boasting a strong squad. The club is participating in the V-League, National Cup, AFC Champions League Elite, and ASEAN Club Cup. Their current squad is considered one of the highest quality in the V-League, featuring 9 national team-caliber players, 7 foreign players, and one overseas Vietnamese right-back, Kevin Pham Ba, who has yet to acquire Vietnamese citizenship.

Under coach Mano Polking, the team has had a strong start. They defeated Australia's Adelaide United in the playoff for the AFC Champions League Elite qualifying round, then secured a 5-0 victory over Cong an TP HCM in the National Super Cup. In the V-League, CAHN beat Ha Tinh 2-0 and, despite being shorthanded, overcame The Cong 1-0.

Yesterday, 15/9, CAHN suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 1-4 to Japan's Gamba Osaka in their opening match of the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite East Asia qualifying round. This round features 16 clubs, with each team playing 8 others based on a draw. The top 8 teams will advance to the round of 1/8, joining 8 teams from the West Asia region. On 20/9, CAHN will play away against Dong Nai in an early fixture for V-League 2026-2027 round 3.