Pay Liberty or risk demotion - FIFA orders Mazembe

FIFA has directed DR Congo champions, TP Mazembe, to immediately pay over USD$12,000 (about GH¢50,000) solidarity contribution to Liberty Professionals and Saint Stars FC in respect of the transfer of Richard Kissi Boateng or risk being demoted to a lower division.

This followed the failure by TP Mazembe to act in accordance with a decision passed by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber judge on January 28, 2016.

According to a letter sent to the Congolese Football Association dated April 11, 2017 and signed by Paul-Antoine Dumond, Deputy Secretary to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, TP Mazembe’s action constituted a violation of article 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), hence the decision to sanction them.

“We are therefore opening disciplinary proceedings against the club TP Mazembe in respect of a violation of article 64 of the FDC.

“This case will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee so that disciplinary measures (fine, deduction of points, relegation to a lower league) may be imposed on the club,” it hinted.

It, therefore, urged TP Mazembe to pay immediately to Liberty Professionals an outstanding balance of USD$9,000 (over GH¢36,000), as well as 5 per cent interest per annum to be calculated in accordance with the decision taken by the Dispute Resolution Chamber judge and forward a copy of proof of payment to the committee.

“Should the club pay the oustanding amount immediately and send us a copy of proof of payment, these disciplinary proceedings will be closed,” the letter stressed.

The petition, filed by Ashford Tettey-Oku’s Offside Consult on behalf of Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals, also benefited the player’s mother club, Saint Stars FC.

“In light of the above, we hereby urge the club TP Mazembe to pay immediately to the club Saint Stars FC the outstanding amount due, namely the amount of USD$3,249 (about GH¢14,000), as well as 5 per cent interest per annum to be calculated in accordance with the decision taken by the Dispute Resolution Chamber judge on January 28, 2016, and to send us a copy of proof of payment.”