Fresh documents released on Tuesday have shown that Samuel Nnoshiri, the player in a transfer tug-of-war between Heartland FC and Katsina United duly signed for the Katsina based club, www.aclsports.com reports.
Owerri-based Heartland FC have been kicking ever since it surfaced in the media that Nnoshiri, the teenager who made his debut for the club in 2019 was now with Katsina United after the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) went on mid-season break.
The 2009 CAF Champions League finalists subsequently declared the player AWOL and followed up with another statement on Tuesday, claiming that the player still rightfully belongs to them despite making a scoring debut for United in the league on Sunday.
Both teams are set to meet in Owerri in an NPFL Match Day 21 encounter on Sunday and this will surely set the tone for a grudge atmosphere for Nnoshiri, who was born at the Imo state capital in July 2001.
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However, documents believed to have emanated from the Katsina based club have shown that the player had written to his former club (Heartland) on the 4th of last month, giving them notice of termination of his contract after the Naze Millionaires defaulted in their obligation.
The player hinged his decision on the club’s failure to pay him five months salaries and cited Article 11 in the Standard Players’ Form as well as the FIFA statutes on the transfer and status of players which empowers players to take such actions in such situations.
Heartland’s Club Licensing Manager, Tonnex Chukwu however dismisses Nnoshiri’s claims vehemently in a pseudo-club statement.
“On the laughable claim of the club failing to pay him outstanding salaries, May it be told us that all clubs evolved their own pattern of managing the COVID-19 impact viz a viz payment of salaries
“Player in question being on loan with the club for over two seasons, In 2020/2021 seaon, he renegotiated and got a year contract valued at 1m nairas aside from salaries and bonuses, which I can tell he was duely paid his clearance fee and salaries up to Feb before his sudden disappearance and re-emergence in Katsina Utd colours,” Chukwu said.
Another document provided by Nnoshiri was his FIFA Transfer Certificate, dated 8th April, 2021 stating that he had fulfilled his terms with his former club and so cleared to join a new club, Katsina United.
Heartland’s Tonnex Chukwu once again dismissed the documents.
“Imagine a contract termination notice that did not get to us, back dated and worse still did not meet international sporting standard. (check dates of application/approval of DTC.)
“Recall also Heartland was denied right to self lm (-sic) or recruit because of alleged FIFA transfer ban which according to NPFL/NFF involved the shutting down of the clubs TMS portal thus not allowing us to sign in new players.”
In spite of the provided documents, Heartland continue to insist that Nnoshiri joined Katsina United illegally and will continue to contest his move far North till justice is given.
