DStv Premiership side Royal AM have issued an update on Ricardo Nascimento’s non-payment matter, resulting in a FIFA transfer ban.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit stated that they lodged an appeal into the matter with CAS and requested a motivated decision from FIFA about the transfer ban imposed on them.
Having got the motivated reasons from FIFA on their transfer ban, the club established that the decision made by FIFA DRC was salary for May and June 2023.
As a result, Royal AM had already paid Nascimento for May and June 2023, and all other claims by the former Mamelodi Sundowns defender were rejected by FIFA DRC.
ROYAL AM OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON RICARDO NASCIMENTO
“At the end of April 2023, two months before the expiry of Mr Nascimento’s contract, Royal AM FC terminated the contract and paid out Mr Nascimento the remainder of the unexpired term of his employment contract, May and June 2023.
“Mr Nascimento referred a contractual dispute to FIFA DRC for payment of the salary for May and June 2023. Payment of the salary for the option period not exercised by Royal AM FC and R120 000,00 bonus.
“On the 28th September 2023, FIFA DRC granted Mr Nascimento an award for payment of R600 000, 00. Royal AM FC lodged an appeal with CAS and requested a motivated decision from FIFA.
“On the 7th November 2023, FIFA notified its motivated decision. Upon perusal, Royal AM FC established that the award made by FIFA DRC was salary for the months of May and June 2023. Royal AM FC had already paid to Mr Nascimento. All other claims by Mr Nascimento were rejected by FIFA DRC.
“In the light of this revelation, Royal AM FC, the CAS appeal was withdrawn. FIFA notified Royal AM FC of the transfer ban on the 15th of January 2024, for non-compliance with the award that Royal AM FC had already paid.
“Royal AM FC legal representatives are in the process of clarifying this issue with both FIFA and Mr Nascimento’s legal representatives and have already provided proof of payment to FIFA. The registration ban shall be uplifted in due course.”
SAMIR NURKOVIC TRANSFER BAN UPDATE
Royal AM went on to issue the latest update on Samir Nurkovic’s transfer ban. The club cited that an appeal against the FIFA decision is still pending at CAS.
“Royal AM FC confirm that the appeal against the FIFA decision in the Nurkovic matter is still pending at CAS. The delay in finalization in this matter has been occasioned by the refusal by Mr Nurkovic and FIFA to have an expedited procedure. Also, the refusal by Mr Nurkovic to pay his share of the advanced costs.
“Royal AM FC has paid the full advanced costs which includes Mr Nurkovic’s share of the advanced costs.
“It is worth noting that Mr Nurkovic has now expressed his desire to have the matter expeditiously. And Royal AM FC is in agreement with this proposal. Currently, we await a directive from the CAS office regarding the appointed arbitrator in this matter. The procedure to be adopted and the allocation of the date of this hearing.”
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