Milla free to play, says Pelita Jaya
Milla free to play, says Pelita Jaya
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian soccer club Pelita Jaya will keep Cameroon star Roger Milla on the field despite a law breaking allegation of still being contracted by his former club, Tonnere Kalara Club de Yaounde, Pelita Jaya club owner says.
Nirwan Bakrie of Pelita Jaya said yesterday that the 42-year- old imported booter is free to play for the club in the Indonesian league until he completes his one-year contract.
"The transfer from Milla's former club Tonnere Kalara Club de Yaounde is valid. We have nothing to worry about," Nirwan said.
President of the Cameroon's club General Pierre Semengue signed on Dec. 24 last year a release letter to a Zurich-based agent International Sports Agency (ISA), a broker sanctioned by the world soccer body FIFA.
According to FIFA rulings, a player needs a release letter to obtain an International Transfer Certificate. Such a certificate guarantees a player can join an overseas club.
Nirwan said his side had yet to receive any complaint from either FIFA or Tonnere. "As long as FIFA is silent over the allegation, we consider Milla's signing as legitimate," Nirwan said.
He added, however, that he did not know whether Milla signed an agreement with a third party before he joined his club. "It's not our responsibility," Nirwan said.
Essomba Eyenga, Tonnere's administrative and financial director was quoted by Reuters as saying that Milla was going to Indonesia as a coach, not a player.
"Roger Milla deceived us," Eyenga said, adding that Milla's contract still had a year to run and the Yaounde first division club was claiming at least 50 million CFA francs ($95,000) in transfer fees.
Semi-professional league champion Pelita Jaya signed Milla through ISA for a basic amount of $200,000. If the Jakarta-based club sells Milla's contract for more than the standardized amount, ISA gets 30 percent of the sum of transfer.
Milla scored three goals in his first three appearances with Pelita Jaya at home.
The Indonesian league will take a one-month rest due to the fasting month which starts on Wednesday.(amd)