Stephen Appiah has admitted he will have to pay Fernabahce $2.3-millions in damages on the orders of world football governing body FIFA before he can join another club.

An emotional Appiah told JoyFM that FIFA slapped the penalty on him after Fernabahce complained that he walked out on a contract with them.

Fernabahce have appealed against the penalty, saying the amount is not enough, and now Appiah hopes FIFA’s final decision due in July will clear the path for him to talk to some clubs who have expressed an interest in signing him.

“The fitness side has been solved and my knees feel fine now,” he said. “We now have to urgently deal with the FIFA issue, but I believe everything will be resolved in July and I will play again.”

The revelations by the player himself will vindicate local radio station ASEMPA FM, whose claim that Appiah had not signed for another club because he had a fine to pay drew widespread criticism.