Asike wins landmark ruling against Sofapaka
Sofapaka defender Eugene Asike has won a landmark case against his employer. The Kenya international has been entangled in a court case against the 2009 champions citing a breach of contract since last November, while opting to skip training with the side all that while.
Through his legal representative Elvis Majani, Asike filed a case with the Kenyan Premier League’s Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee, which has found Sofapaka guilty of breaching the two parties terms of contract, and ordered the club to hand the player his release letter by Friday next week.
In its ruling, the gathering found the Sofapaka management guilty of withholding Asike’s salary for the months of March, November and December as well as his signing on fee as per their agreement on the contract.
IDCC also found Asika justified to terminate his contract with Sofapaka under Fifa Statutes. Majani has in the meantime termed this ruling historic.
“Kenyan Premier League players go for months without pay which is in peanuts, and yet they are expected to perform. This ruling ensures that such cases never happen again,” the lawyer said.
This development clears the way for the 22 year old central defender to join a club of his choice on a free transfer, with Tusker, AFC Leopards and Tanzania’s Coastal Union said to be “very interested” in the player’s signature.