Barely six months after signing on Accra Hearts of Oak’s midfield talent, Winful Cobbinah, Saudi second-tier side, Najran SC, are yet to make good their side of the bargain of $150,000 representing the transfer fees for the player in what is becoming one of the biggest rip-offs in recent times.
But while the Phobians are licking their wounds from the apparent Arabian scam, a former director of the club said to have facilitated the deal, has allegedly been made richer with three per cent of the deal.
And after a protracted battle to recover what is duly theirs in the deal, Hearts have run to the Ghana Football Association(GFA), which has itself been shortchanged in the drama, to compel Najran to pay the Phobians the compensation for the release of their midfielder.
A letter written to the GFA late last year indicated the Phobians dismay at the refusal of Najran to reimburse them with the amount as agreed in the contract despite several reminders.
It urged the FA to compel the Saudi side to abide by the terms of the contract, particularly when they have been utilising the services of the youngster.
According to sources, the Saudi-side signed Cobbinah, until last season a strong force in the Hearts set-up and seen by many as a huge potential, in a two-year-deal for $150,000. The Phobians agreed to a three-instalment payment plan proposed by the Saudis with the first trench of $50,000 expected to hit the Hearts account.
The source said, based on the assurances of the Saudi side and the urgency of the move, the Phobians applied for the International Transfer Certificate on behalf of Najran and secured it without the payment of the GFA’s share of the deal.
Meanwhile, the player is said to be back in the country for a short holiday after what seemed a successful stint with the Saudi club where he played regularly and scored some crucial goals for them.
