Soccer News of Wednesday, 14 September 2005

Source: GNA

Osei demands 25,000 dollars from agents

Accra, Sept 14, GNA - Troubled Michael Osei of Liberty Professionals who has just completed a four-month ban imposed by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) for a breach of contract with a Korean club is demanding 25,000 dollars from the agents who brokered the deal to enable him return to the pitch.

The player's ban expired on Tuesday, September 13 but can only return to the pitch after refunding the 40,000 dollars taken on his behalf by the agent as demanded by FIFA.

The agent, one Afrifa, a Kumasi-based barrister according to Osei remains adamant towards his plight though he (Afrifa) took 25,000 dollars as his share of the supposed 100,000 dollars transfer money from Busan Icon now Busan I'Park.

Osei told the GNA Sports that lawyer Afrifa took 25,000 dollars out of the 40,000 dollars as his share of the deal when he was with Kumasi Asante Kotoko even when the total transfer fee was yet to be completed.

The player said he was left with only 15,000 dollars as his share of the 40, 000 dollars and wondered why he should be suffering through no fault of his.

Osei was however compelled to abort his contract after weeks of waiting for his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) in vain and thus rejoined Kotoko.

"The only reason why I couldn't honour my contract is because lawyer Afrifa could not facilitate my ITC as promised whilst I was in Korea".

Osei in 2002 travelled to South Korea with Afrifa where he impressed the team during the justifier thus earning him a year's deal. The player however failed to honour the agreement forcing the Koreans to file a complaint to FIFA insisting that Osei received 40,000 dollars from them under the pretext of been a free agent.

The striker said efforts to get to the agent appear to have hit a snag as he kept frustrating attempts to have him refund the percentage received.

The former Kotoko star's transfer to Liberty has also stayed under the microscope following the failure of the previous administration to negotiate an onward transfer clause in the contract.

The distressed striker said he would go the maximum length to ensure justice is enforced against the Kumasi based-lawyer. "I cannot stay away from the field forever and have resolved to do whatever it takes to bring lawyer Afrifa to book even if it means pressing criminal charges against him".