Mazembe: amicable resolution to avoid a trial and sanctions
In the world of football, it is not uncommon to see disputes between clubs and players. This time, it is TP Mazembe which finds itself at the center of a case of non-compliance with contracts and non-payment of signing bonuses. To avoid a trial and possible sanctions, the club found a solution: an “amicable” resolution.
Last August, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the decision of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, condemning TP Mazembe for having violated the terms of the employment contracts of two of its players, Ismaël Ganiyu and Youssifou Atte.
On Tuesday, the club announced that it had reached an agreement to terminate the contracts of these two players. According to the club’s press release, Ismaël Ganiyu, Ghanaian defender, and TP Mazembe have signed a settlement agreement putting an end to any legal action. For his part, Youssifou Atte, a Togolese player, also reached an agreement with the club for an amicable termination of contract and left Lubumbashi to return to Lomé.
The dispute between TP Mazembe and the two players dates back to January 2021, when the latter signed a five-year employment contract with the club. As soon as they arrived, they were faced with a salary reduction decided unilaterally by the club. In July of the same year, TP Mazembe asked the players to sign a contract termination worded in abusive terms, which they refused to do. Despite their multiple requests to respect contractual obligations, the players have received no response from the club.
In the world of football, disputes between players and clubs are unfortunately common. This case highlights the problems that can arise when there is no mutual respect for the terms of contracts. Fortunately, in the case of TP Mazembe, an amicable resolution was found to avoid a lengthy and costly trial, as well as potential sanctions.
The club now hopes to turn the page on this matter and focus on the future. In any case, this story reminds us of the importance of respecting contracts and finding fair solutions in the event of a dispute, in order to preserve the image of clubs and players and to promote a healthy environment in football.