AS Vita face R11.5m bill to settle Abdeslam Ouaddou claim

AS Vita must resolve a claim worth about R11.5m, plus procedural costs, to former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou before they can register new players for the coming Linafoot season.

The Congolese club has been subject to a transfer ban since 27 May after failing to comply with rulings in favour of Ouaddou, who coached the club for a short period in 2024.

The Moroccan-Frenchman claimed he was not paid his salary and was also not reimbursed for flights. He subsequently appointed Alexis Rutman, counsel at Steering Legal in Paris, to pursue the case through Fifa.

Both Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found that Ouaddou’s claim was admissible. After AS Vita appealed the initial decision to CAS, the ruling against them was upheld on 27 May.

Documents show that the club has been ordered to pay Ouaddou €612,227.30, equivalent to approximately R11.3m. That figure includes outstanding salaries and bonuses, airfare expenses and compensation for breach of contract.

The unpaid salaries and bonuses total R2.9m, while the cost of the flights is listed at R36,600. A further R8.4m has been awarded as compensation for wrongful termination.

AS Vita must also pay 3,000 Swiss francs, approximately R59,000, in procedural costs, as well as two-thirds of the arbitration fees.

Ouaddou first lodged his complaint with Fifa in November 2024, citing the non-payment of his wages and other breaches of the employment agreement. The club’s failure to follow the ruling has left it unable to register new arrivals.

AS Vita are preparing for the start of Linafoot, although the competition dates are still awaiting confirmation from the Sports Ministry. The club has already signed players including Ismael Ngambelo and Peter Mutumosi Zilu, but neither can be registered while the transfer ban remains in place.

The club is now expected to pursue negotiations with Ouaddou’s representatives in an attempt to agree a settlement. However, AS Vita must first resolve its internal issues before those discussions can move forward.

The club is only expected to make the required payments before the end of the Congolese transfer window. Once the ban is lifted, AS Vita would be able to register their new signings for the new season.

Ouaddou was appointed during the presidency of Amadou Diaby. Flory Mapamboli has since served as the club’s interim president.

The case has left AS Vita facing a significant financial obligation as they attempt to prepare for the new Linafoot campaign. Alongside the outstanding award to Ouaddou, the club will also be responsible for the additional arbitration-related charges ordered by CAS.