Sunderland defender Emmanuel Eboue has been banned from playing for 12 months by FIFA for failing to pay an agent.

The 32-year-old joined the Black Cats on a free transfer earlier this month, having been without a club since his release by Galatasaray at the end of last season.

The full-back is yet to make his debut for the Wearsiders and may have to wait even longer now due to the money that he allegedly owes his ex-representative Sebastien Boisseau.

However, when announcing the punishment, the governing body added that the suspension would be lifted as soon as the Ivorian forks out the outstanding amount.

There had been suggestions that Eboue was due to make his first Sunderland appearance against West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.