How Were’s mind games locked him out of active football
Paul Were’s much touted move to Gor Mahia hit a snag after it emerged that the player did not have his International Transfer Certificate before the closure of the Kenyan Premier League transfer window on 30th June.
It has emerged that the player was holding out for the highest bidder between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia who were both interested in his signature.
He had demanded Sh 600,000 as sign-on fee and a monthly salary of Sh 150,000 from Ingwe while at Gor Mahia he was holding out for Sh 400,000 sign on fee and a monthly salary of Sh 100,000.
However, the two clubs were adamant that they couldn’t raise the amounts the former FISA player was asking.
HIGHEST BIDDER
With 15 minutes remaining to the close of the window, Were finally backed down and accepted Sh 150,000 Gor Mahia were offering and signed a contract subject to ITC being lodged to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) by midnight, less than 10 minutes remaining. It was impossible.
Gor Mahia requested the ITC from South African side AmaZulu on July 1st. It was too late. FKF intervened and petitioned FIFA for exemption to which FIFA responded by stating that it won’t be party to contravening its own rules. Were’s fate was sealed.
However, reports have emerged that the player could actually sign for FKF Premier League side Nakumatt FC as the latter league’s transfer window is still open.
In the meantime, Were’s ploy to hold out for the highest bidder of his signature has locked him out of active football for the next six months, at least in Kenya.