No signings for Liga MX giants ahead of Apertura 2025 - here’s why
Pumas are one of several Mexican teams that won’t be able to strengthen their squad for the time being.
As they prepare for the Apertura 2025, Pumas UNAM have received bad news from FIFA: they are banned from signing players starting May 28, making it impossible for the team to strengthen their squad for the upcoming tournament.
The news was revealed in a statement issued by Pumas on Wednesday.
Pumas working to “address matter” with FIFA
“Club Universidad Nacional announces that today it was notified by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee that it is not permitted to register players,” the club said. Pumas added that they are endeavoring to resolve the issue.
“Our club’s legal department is already working on the necessary clarifications and explanations to address this matter with the organization,” the seven-time Mexican champions said.
El Club Universidad Nacional informa:
— PUMAS (@PumasMX) May 28, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/NVnyXImltZ #DePumasSoy #OhUniversidad pic.twitter.com/GNdsPVo4U1
Atlas also get FIFA transfer ban
And Pumas are not the only Liga MX team to have been hit with a FIFA transfer ban. It was also confirmed on Wednesday that three-time domestic champions Atlas FC have been added to the list of sanctioned clubs on FIFA’s “Registration Bans” list.
In a statement, Atlas said they were working to have the suspension lifted “as soon as possible.”
COMUNICADO OFICIAL. pic.twitter.com/M1rvfZdxvf
— Atlas FC (@AtlasFC) May 28, 2025
The reasons behind the sanctions handed to Puma and Atlas by the world’s governing body of soccer remain unknown, but these situations generally occur when a club is late in paying a debt owed to another club.
Besides Pumas and Atlas, two teams from the Liga de Expansion, Mexico’s second division, are also on the “Registration Bans” list: Atlético Morelia and Cancún FC.
Third-tier Murciélagos FC are also unable to register new signings.
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