The executive committee of the Nigerian club Tornadoes, a second-division team, has taken the drastic step of terminating the contracts of 11 players with immediate effect. According to the club’s press release, the players were dismissed for negotiating their contracts directly with the technical advisor, Godwin Uwua, instead of dealing directly with the club management. The statement further alleges that Uwua did not present the players correctly to the club’s management and failed to communicate effectively.
The decision to terminate the contracts was reportedly influenced by the players’ agents threatening the club’s management with reporting to the Nigerian League board for non-payment of contract fees. Facing financial constraints, Tornadoes opted to release the players from their contracts instead of meeting the compensation demands.
The dismissed players include six defenders: Ajibade Omolade, Abdulazeez Isah, Alhassan Madah, Sunday, Robert Danishe, Fidelis Iheme, Edward Othege, and Togolese player Fabrice Mensa. Additionally, two central defenders, Muftau Taoheed and Ndubuisi Obi, and an attacker, Emmanuel Osigwe, were also let go. Osigwe reportedly wrote to Tornadoes independently, requesting to be released from his contract in solidarity with his comrades.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics in football contracts, negotiations, and the financial challenges faced by some clubs in meeting player compensation demands.
