Russian Premier League clubs Tom Tomsk and Volga Nizhny Novgorod have been banned from signing players because of unpaid debts, the Russian Football Union said Monday.
Volga will not be able to register any new players until they pay fees owed to fellow Premier League side Spartak Nalchik from the transfer of Nikita Malyarov in 2011, and pay wages owed to defender Lasha Salukvadze, the RFU said.
The RFU also demanded Volga settle their arrears with Gogita Gogua and Mikhail Mysin, who have both left the club.
Tom received a transfer embargo for unpaid debts to Djordje Jokic, who left the club last year. The club is reportedly near bankruptcy since the regional authorities withdrew funding. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged local businesses to invest in the club at a meeting with fans on January 19.
Tom are currently six points adrift at the bottom of the Russian Premier League, which is currently on a winter break. Volga are in 14th, seven points ahead.
The RFU also placed a transfer ban on second-tier side Baltika Kaliningrad over debts to defender Yuri Mamaev.
