Morrocan club, Raja Cassablanca, have finally paid the transfer fee of Ighodalo Christian Osagona, seven year after signing the striker from Enugu Rangers, Completesports.com reports.
This is coming seven years after the striker signed a contract with the North African side in 2014 from the Coal City Flying Antelopes.
Raja had foot-dragged in paying the contractual fee despite Osagona having already featured for some other clubs, namely; KV Mechelen (2016-2017), Westerlo (2017/2018), UMM Salal (2018), Zob Ahan (2019), Jeju United (2019-2020), Persepolis (2020) and Al Shorta 2020-2021.
Raja’s failure to pay the transfer fees despite several reminders, forced Rangers to drag them to FIFA Dispute Resolution Chambers to ensure that the $100, 000 (N50m) was paid.
The case lingered for a while, but Rangers eventually won and the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chambers [DRC] ordered Raja to pay Rangers.
Raja’s delay in complying with DRC’s directive forced FIFA to slam them with a transfer ban.
Thereafter, Raja paid the sum, but more than four months after , Rangers are yet to get their account credited.
The money is still in the account of the Belgian law firm, Van Landuyt & Partners, whose attorney, Johnny Maeschalck represented Rangers in the dispute.
Since the $100, 000 was received in August, it has not been recalled to Nigeria by Rangers.
Rangers Secretary, Barrister Emeka Ugwuema, told Completesports.com on Tuesday that there was no dispute or disagreement between parties involved as regards sharing of the money.
He disclosed that instead, all parties involved know what their stakes are and agreed to wait until the entire money is paid by Raja.
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“It’s true that Raja have paid up the $100,000.fee in respect of Christian Osagona’s teansfer”, confirms Ugwuema when Completesports.com called him up on Tuesday.
“It is also true that the money was paid into the Belgian Law firm’s account and that the money has not been disbursed to parties involved.
“I must say that there is no dispute or disagreement whatsoever as regards sharing formula between Rangers and the law firm as well as the player in question, Osagona.
“We, as a club, would have loved to have the money to help us in our campaign and I also believe that the other parties also need ir.
“We’ve held several discussions with the Belgian Law firm and the player too because he too, has a share of the money.
“But remember when FIFA dispute Resolution Chambers, DRC, gave out its judgement, Raja were asked to pay damages.
“That has not been paid. What Raja has paid is the main transfer fee which is $100, 000.
“The Belgian Law firm are still pushing for that and once that is completed, all the entre money would now be shared.
“This is where we are at the moment”, the Rangers scribe explained.
Osagona, 31, featured for the seven- time Nigeria Champions, Rangers, from 2011 to 2013 following a move from Shooting Stars Sports Club, [3SC] of Ibadan.
He made his Super Eagles debut in September 10, 2014 in an AFCON qualifier against South Africa after coming on for Gbolahan Salami in 64th minute. He has five caps for Nigeria.