Major League side New York Red Bulls have commenced the process of filing a case against Lillestroem, Yobe Desert Stars and Gee-Lec Academy of Jos over Nigerian striker Jerome Philip.
Jerome signed for MLS side New York Red Bulls in September, but the 18 year old later backtracked on the contract after receiving an offer to have trials with Norwegian side Lillestroem.
New York Red Bulls petitioned Lillestroem to release their player who was expected in America same week he travelled to Norway, but were told by the Norwegians that the player is not a player of Gee-Lec Academy in Jos, from where the MLS side signed him.
Lillestroem claimed they have authorisation to have him on trial from his primary owners Yobe Desert Stars and not Gee-Lec . The Jos based Academy who cleared him to New York Red Bulls.
The Nigerian intermediary of the 18 year old forward Babawo Mohammed agreed he indeed signed for New York Red Bulls as a player of Gee-Lec, not knowing Yobe Desert Stars have taking up the option to make his deal permanent.
According to reports gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com editorial team, the New York Red Bulls have gathered enough information to pursue the matter with FIFA , and the agent who scouted Jerome for the club Damani Ralph told Owngoalnigeria.com that the matter is in the hands of the MLS side.
” I wish I can help but at the moment it’s out of my hands. I tried calling a truce by speaking with Atta Aneke ( the agent who took him to Norway) but my suggestions wasn’t taken”, Damani told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” New York Red Bulls will have the final say on the issue and for now I can’t tell you if they have decided to go to FIFA or not, but I know it’s on the cards as it is a matter of ethics”.
If found guilty of signing for two teams, FIFA could ban the forward for two years alongside Gee-Lec Academy for their role in his transfer, but his agent Babawo is confident a truce can be reached with all parties involved.
” There’s a mix up which requires sorting out, and am in talks with all involved. Hopefully it would be resolved amicably. I am at fault for this impasse and my main target is to clear up for the sake of the career of the young man”.
Osas Mahawi
