Soccer News of Thursday, 31 July 2003

Source: GNA

Kuffour petitions FIFA over case with agent

Accra, July 31, GNA - Solicitors of Emmanuel Osei Kuffour of Accra Hearts of Oak has petitioned FIFA through the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to help collect 10,00 dollars indebted to the player from Amporful Soccer Consultants (ASC) Incorporated (Licensed FIFA registered player agent based in USA).

The petition further requests FIFA to in addition to the 10,00 dollars, to ask ASC to pay interest at the prevailing commercial rate as well as the cost of expenditure incurred in the pursuance of the matter. The solicitor sent the petition to the GFA on Thursday July 31. ASC's indebtedness to Kuffour came about as a result of his loan transfer to Anzhi Makhachkala FC of Russia from Hearts of Oak last September.

A copy of the petition made available to the GNA Sports, said upon the request of the consultants in a letter dated August 7, 2002 to the Hearts, it stated that the Russian club wants the services of the player for a four months loan deal worth 50,000 dollars. The petition, in another letter from the same Consultants, detailed how the amount would be shared.

It said Kuffour would be entitled to 5,000 dollars of the amount whiles they (ASC) who brokered the deal takes 20,000 dollars, but the player rejected the amount prompting the consultants to double it to 10,000 dollars.

This meant that the ASC's share of in the deal has reduced from 20,000 dollar to 15,000 dollars.

The petition said even though initially the agent gave the excuse that the Russian Club is yet to pay the loan money, they later acknowledged to the player that they received the final payment but had refused to fulfil their side of the package to the player.

It said upon persistent demands, Mr Amporful promised to lodge the amount in the player's personal accounts, which he has not done to date. The solicitor added that even though he has petitioned FIFA they would not hesitate to seek legal redress from any courts. The 2000 top scorer of the CAF Champions League had a short stint with the Russian club in 2002 before returning to Ghana to join Hearts of Oak.