Al-Student Club Overcomes Key Challenges Ahead of New Season

Al Talaba has successfully navigated one of its major challenges ahead of the new season of the Iraqi Premier League by settling outstanding payments that had led to a ban on registering new players.

The main issue for the club revolves around overdue financial obligations from last season, specifically to former coach Talal Al-Balushi. The delay in payment is attributed to funding holdups from the club's supporting entity, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Al-Balushi has turned to FIFA to claim his rights after failing to receive payments on time. The case has now escalated to legal proceedings.

According to informed sources, FIFA has sent an official notice to Al-Student's management, informing them of a ban on registering new players that the club has signed at the request of the coaching staff, unless the amount is paid.

Sources have confirmed that Al-Tabb's management has paid $80,000 to FIFA today.

The amount includes $68,000 owed to the former coach, in addition to a $12,000 penalty.

A decision to lift the ban is anticipated within 72 hours, allowing the club to officially register its new signings.

The management of the club is anxiously waiting for the decision to know if they can include the new players in the opening match against Diyala next Saturday. If the decision is delayed, coach Ali Reza Mansourian will not be able to field the new elements in the match.

Al-Student finished the last season 2025-2026 in sixth place in the Iraqi Premier League with 65 points, after 18 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses. The team did not achieve the desired goal of reaching the top four, prompting the management to take strong action this summer to bolster the squad.

In the transfer file, the club was unable to finalize the contract with striker Ibrahim Tomio, the former Al-Zawraa player, due to administrative problems related to the expiration of his residency in Iraq and several violations for not renewing it, which prevented him from obtaining a new entry visa to the country.

Al-Student's management is striving to close the chapter on financial crises and focus on the technical side, aiming to deliver a better season and satisfy the fans of "the Elegant" who are eager for the team to compete for top positions.

The club hopes that lifting the ban will give coach Mansourian all the options he needs before the first match of the season, especially with the league starting this week and every point being crucial in a long journey.