FIFA has imposed a ban on Lokomotiv Moscow, preventing the Russian club from registering new players due to outstanding payments owed to a Ukrainian team. This disciplinary action comes amid ongoing tensions, with critics accusing Russian entities of attempting to legitimize claims about Mariupol's status through such sporting engagements.

FIFA has imposed a three-transfer-window registration ban (approximately 18 months) on Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow. This disciplinary action stems from the unresolved transfer dispute involving Marc Mampassi, where Lokomotiv failed to pay Mariupol, the Ukrainian club that developed the player, the required €50,000 compensation.

Mariupol's vice-president Andrei Sanin revealed that CAS proceedings regarding this case commenced in 2022. During the hearings, Lokomotiv's legal team controversially argued that Mariupol should be considered a Russian city outside Ukrainian jurisdiction, claiming the club had ceased to exist as a football entity.

Sanin criticized these arguments, stating: "Russian football mirrors Russian politics - built on falsehoods, distorted facts, and sheer cynicism. Their lawyers actually contended that Mariupol belongs to Russia and shouldn't fall under Ukrainian football governance."

In response, Lokomotiv claimed they had sought FIFA's clarification regarding Mariupol's current operational status as a football organization. The club denounced the transfer ban as "completely unjustified" and "consistent with the discriminatory pattern against Russian clubs."