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Mosoti delighted with Fifa’s Sh3million ruling


Kenyan footballer Donald Mosoti has expressed his relief and delight after world football governing body, Fifa, awarded him Sh3 million following a protracted contractual dispute with his former club Simba SC of Tanzania.

In the landmark ruling, Fifa ordered the Tanzanian club to pay Mosoti the amount as compensation for breach of contract.

“I am relieved and delighted. It isn’t about the money. This (ruling) should be a lesson to African clubs who treat players like slaves,” said Mosoti, a Kenyan international currently attached to second tier football side Nakumatt FC.

While welcoming the ruling, Mosoti’s lawyer Felix Majani blamed Simba for handling his client in an unprofessional manner.

“It is unfortunate that Fifa has had to impose disciplinary sanctions on Simba. Nevertheless, I am happy that they have finally done so. Its close to one and a half years since Mosoti won the case, yet Simba have for no genuine reason ignored and/or acted in contempt of the Fifa decision. Mosoti has been frustrated for quite a while now but his patience will bear him wonderful fruits,” Majani told Nairobi News.

Alongside this ruling, Fifa has threatened hefty sanctions on the Dar es Salaam club and the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) should the club fail to settle this amount within 30 days.

RELEGATION

These sanctions include relegation to the second tier Tanzanian league next season for the Msimbazi street based side.

Simba currently lies third – behind leaders Yanga and Azam FC – in the Tanzanian Vodacom League standings with three matches remaining till the end of the season.

Simba also risk being docked three points, while TFF have been forewarned the Tanzania national teams and clubs could be suspended from competing in international assignments unless the amount is paid.

“We have received the ruling and I’m going to compel Simba to clear this matter as soon as possible,” TFF President Jamal Malinzi confirmed to Nairobi News.

The legal tussle between Mosoti and Simba commenced in August 2014 when the club dropped the player without following due procedure.

In turn, the central defender lodged a complaint with Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chambers over the mattter.