Kaizer Chiefs haven’t yet given up hope to register free agents later this month, but that will depend on feedback from FIFA, the Siya crew understands.
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Our own attempts to get clarity from the world governing football body on whether or not the Glamour Boys can add out of contract players to their roster from February 16 – a day after the deadline for the second transfer window, were not successful as FIFA’s media department did not respond to our numerous requests for clarity.
But the Siya crew has been informed that Chiefs have also inquired to find out if the club can register free agents.
Amakhosi were handed a two-window transfer ban by FIFA a year ago and their appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have it overturned was dismissed in October, meaning new coach Gavin Hunt would not be able to bring in new faces.
As things stand, Chiefs can only register players from July 1 this year (prior to the 2021/22 season), but there have been questions over whether they are allowed to sign free agents.
SAFA’s understanding is that Amakhosi can’t, but the club is understood to have inquired with FIFA to be completely sure.
Read: Downs Boss: PSL Has VAR Now?
Indications are that Chiefs will not take any risks if they do not hear back from FIFA and will soldier on with their thin squad to compete in the DStv Premiership, Nedbank Cup as well as the CAF Champions League.
For the first time in the club’s history, Amakhosi progressed to the group stages of Africa’s premier interclub competition – so adding a free agent or two will be beneficial for the purposes of the inevitable squad rotation.
Story by @superjourno
Scroll through the gallery to see the players Chiefs had targeted before the CAS decision last year...