Sunderland defender Emmanuel Eboue has been banned from taking part in football activities for one year by FIFA over a contractual dispute with a former agent.

Eboue, 32, signed for Sunderland on a short-term contract in March after being released by Galatasaray. But the former Ivory Coast international will not be allowed to play for his club until he pays money owed to a former agent: Sebastien Boisseau.

A FIFA statement read: “On 9 September 2014, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to sanction Mr Eboue with a fine of CHF 30,000 for failing to comply with the decision of the single judge of the Players’ Status Committee on the basis of art. 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

“The player was also granted a final period of grace of 120 days to settle his debt, upon failure of which the creditor — Mr Boisseau — would be entitled to request that a one-year ban on taking part in any football-related activity be imposed on Mr Eboue.
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“Mr Eboue appealed to CAS against the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision, but the appeal was dismissed and the decision of the Disciplinary Committee confirmed in full.

“Following the expiry of the final deadline granted, Mr Boisseau requested that the one-year ban be imposed on Mr Eboue in accordance with the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. The relevant parties, including The Football Association which has been requested to implement said ban, have been informed accordingly.”

Sunderland signed Eboue in their bid to avoid relegation this season. They currently sit two points off safety, but with a game in hand on 17th placed Norwich.