Bechem United, a club playing in the Ghana Premier League, is in a financial dispute with the champions of the Tanzania Premier League, the Young Africans, following the transfer of Augustine Okrah. Bechem has filed a complaint with FIFA after Young Africans, also known as Yanga, allegedly failed to pay the full transfer fee agreed during the transfer of Okrah.
According to reports, Bechem and Yanga had reached an agreement for a transfer fee of $120,000 for Okrah. Yanga paid only $20,000 to secure the international transfer certificate (ITC), allowing Okrah to move from Ghana to Tanzania. The Tanzanian champions had to pay the remaining $100,000, but despite efforts, they have not paid, leaving Bechem United to seek FIFA’s intervention.
Bechem Transfer Agreement and Outstanding Payment
According to the initial agreement, Yanga was supposed to pay $120,000, which was the amount for the release clause for Okrah. Young Africans paid only a fraction of the amount, which was only able to secure the ITC, essentially a passport allowing him to play for them.
Despite this agreement, Yanga has stalled on paying the remaining $100,000. The Ghanaian club has felt shortchanged and is likely frustrated by the lack of communication or resolution from Yanga. They have decided to take Yanga to the highest authority in football so as to get their money.
Young Africans Additional Debts
The complaints go beyond the unpaid transfer fees Okrah himself is owed additional sums. Yanga has also failed to fulfill several financial obligations to Augustine. His signing fee, (a standard payment made to players when they join a new club), and behind his salary payments. Adding more on these Yanga has not paid him the bonuses they promised in the contract.
If Yanga fails to fulfill their financial obligations to Okrah, he plans to take them to FIFA seeking to secure the promised payments and escalate the matter further. This situation will damage the club and its future plans.
These bonuses are performance-based incentives and are a common way to motivate players and reward success. Yanga has failed to deliver on their promises, and this has raised concern about their financial management and their ability to meet contracts they make with clubs and players. If FIFA rules in favor of Bechem and Okrah, Yanga will be in big trouble. They could face a ban or fines.
FIFA has just banned Yanga from
Similar Past incidents
This is not the first time Yanga has been in such disputes. FIFA has recently given Yanga a ban from recruiting new players. This comes after they failed to pay the former Belgian manager, Luc Eymael, for unfair dismissal in 2020.
In December last year, they were also in another with their former player Gael Bigirimana who took his case to FIFA for unpaid wages after they terminated his contract, which resulted in the club being banned but they paid the player within 45 days and the ban was lifted.
The involvement of FIFA means that Yanga will have to pay the amount it owes to Bechem United. They are also working hard on paying Okrah. Resolving this dispute through FIFA could protect both Bechem United’s finances and ensure fair compensation for the player.
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About the Author
From Mbale, Uganda, Wopicho Tony is a rising star in the world of football punditry. This self-proclaimed football fanatic bleeds passion for the beautiful game. With an eye for talent and a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies, Tony’s analysis is both insightful and engaging. Check out the blog about African football on Footy Africa.
