The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has ordered Moroccan football club, Difaa El Jadida, to remunerate Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Lobi Stars, the sum of $100,000 for Anthony Okpotu’s overdue signing fee.
The 2016/2017 NPFL top scorer joined the Stade El Abdi side from Lobi Stars for an agreed sum in July 2018. However, ever since his departure from the Nigerian top flight, Okpotu’s sign-on fees are yet to be paid.
In September last year, Lobi Stars blew the whistle on Difaa El Jadida’s breach of their initial agreement to pay within seven days of the receipt of Okpotu’s International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
In response to Lobi Stars’ petition, FIFA has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Difaa El Jadida, beginning from January 21, 2019.
Along with payment of the agreed sum for the player, FIFA has ordered the Moroccan club to pay Lobi Stars an additional interest of 5% of the transfer fee, as retribution for the delay in settlement.
Difaa El Jadida have also been directed to pay FIFA and Lobi Stars 10,000 Swiss Franc as proceeding costs.
Okpotu began his professional career with Lobi Stars in 2012, before completing a move to Al-Ittihad Tripoli in the 2013/2014 football season.
In 2015, the CHAN Eagles top striker returned to action for Lobi, scoring a total of 71 goals for the Ortom Boys, until his departure to Difaa El Jadida in 2018.
Featured image source: Brila
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