Tehran : Iran's Esteghlal football club has been banned from signing players in January's transfer window after failing to fulfil its monetary commitments to a former player on time, Tehran Times daily reported.

FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) banned the Blues after Esteghlal's payment to German midfielder Adil Chihi was delayed, reports Xinhua news agency.

Esteghlal signed two players after a disappointing first half of the season, but they can't use new players now.

The Blues are currently in the fourth place in the Iran Professional League with 28 points from 18 games, 13 points behind the league leaders and arch rivals Persepolis.

Esteghlal will take on Qatari side Al Sadd in a crucial AFC Champions League play-off match in Tehran on February 2. IANS