ES Sahel Chip Away at Debt Standing Between Them and League Registration

A club spokesperson told Tunis Afrique Presse that ES Sahel has paid 1.3 million Tunisian dinars, about $439,000, of a 5.8 million dinar debt, roughly $1.96 million. The financial trouble dates back to the imprisonment of former club president Ridha Charfeddine, who is separately owed close to $18 million by the club, alongside further fees owed to players and staff. The registration debt is the more urgent issue, tied in part to an unpaid transfer fee owed to Kenyan club Gor Mahia for defender Alphonce Omija, a case that triggered a FIFA-imposed transfer and registration ban on the Sousse-based side.

ES Sahel finished seventh in Tunisia's top flight last season. According to Tunisian outlet La Presse, the club is proceeding with preseason preparations regardless, and is in talks with French coach Christian Bracconi over the vacant manager's job, with a decision expected by Tuesday. The debt repayment has been funded partly through jersey and season ticket sales, backed by the club's fanbase.