ILLEGAL TRANSFER: Vandrezzer FC reports two players, 3SC for breach of contracts, poaching

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Vandrezzer FC has reported two first-team players and newly promoted Nigeria Professional Football League side, Shootings Stars Sports Club of Ibadan to the Nigeria National League disciplinary committee for breach of contract by the players and 3SC’s attempt to poach players who are under contracts with the club.

The players involved are left full-back, David Mark and last season’s top scorer Kolawole Daniel.

The two players who were integral in VFC’s fight against the drop last season were pictured with 3SC players during a preseason training last week despite still having contracts with Vandrezzer FC.

In a press statement released on Monday, October 11 and signed by the management of Vandrezzer FC, Mark and Daniel signed a three-year contract till 2022 with the Lions and are still receiving salaries from the club.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to photographs circulating on social media, showing two of our bona fide players – Kolawole Adeyemi Daniel and David Oguntunde Mark, donning the jersey of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), which was posted by 3SC on their Facebook page, presumably involved in pre-season training with the Ibadan-based club.

“For avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that both Daniel and Mark signed a 3-year contract with Vandrezzer FC which is still in force till 2022, and the players have not been released to 3SC nor their contracts terminated.

“Though our club is presently on break and would be resuming shortly for preparations towards the 2021/2022 season, we deem it unprofessional for any player signed to a club to don the jersey of another club or embark on pre-season activities with them without the knowledge and permission of his club.”

Vandrezzer FC faults 3SC for going behind their back to poach their players, claiming they are with the players’ registration license.

“We are equally surprised that a club of the magnitude of 3SC and with history behind it, would condescend and be involved in such an abysmal act, knowing fully well that Vandrezzer FC holds the players registration. The provisions of FIFA’s Regulation on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) and our football rules on the domestic level are unambiguous as to the implication of inducing a player to breach his contract with a club.”

The statement also reveals the club has launched a formal complaint to the NNL disciplinary board and other relevant bodies in the country to take appropriate action.

“To this end, we have filed an official complaint to the Nigeria National League and other relevant bodies, with supporting documents attached to show the current breach by both 3SC and the said players, who are still in contract and receiving their salaries from VFC.

“It is our expectation that the authorities would deal decisively with this issue as it remains one of the debilitating factors standing against the growth of football in Nigeria.

“All clubs are by this publication, advised to be wary of any third party claiming to hold the economic rights of our players or to be entitled to participate, either in full or in part, in compensation payable in relation to the future transfer of our player from one club to another.”

Meanwhile, Gidado Football Academy in a swift response has claimed ownership of the two players, saying David Mark and Kolawole Daniel were on a 2-year loan term with Vandrezzer FC which ended at the end of last football season.

Gidado also accused Vandrezzer FC of trying to sell the players behind their back at the expiration of their loan.

“We loaned players to your club for two years, you went behind and gave the players contract for 3 years without informing us, that’s bridge of contract, professional attitude.

“After the expiration of their LOAN, you want to sell them behind us.”

Also, 3SC says they have an agreement in principle to sign the two players with Gidado FC, with an official announcement imminent.

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