Concern Mounts Over Koko's Transfer Fees


 LPRC-Oilers artistic midfielder cum striker, James Koko Lomell

September 6, 2006

The signing of former LPRC-Oilers artistic midfielder cum striker, James Koko Lomell, for a three-year deal with South African First Division outfit, Aziz Kara, (FCAK) is said to be raising serious concern among sports administrators in the country.

Former Invincible Eleven Vice President for Operation, Edward Forson, said he was shock by report that FIFA agent Steve Davis, has distanced himself from the player's transfer.

In a phone interview from the United States of America yesterday, Mr. Forson said under no condition could Mr. Davis dissociate himself from the deal because he played a vary significant role in the process.

"It was Steve Davis who kept the public informed daily through the media as it relates to the player's conduction with the African club. Even when the player signed the three- year deal, Mr. Davis was the one that informed the public about the contract so, to distance himself now raises more questions than answer," he noted.

Moreover, the former I.E official said it would be a complete contradiction if Mr. Davis was now claiming to be innocent of the contract while questioning the player's former club for not paying him his salaries all these years. According to Mr. Forson, assertions by Mr. Davis that his office does not even have knowledge of the contract that the LPRC-Oilers signed with Koko is also unfounded.

He said Mr. Davis could not disassociate himself from the understanding which brought the midfielder and LPRC-Oilers together when he (Davis) had admitted earlier that as a FIFA agent, his role was in making sure that the player was happy with the deal.

As it relates to the player's International Transfer Certificate, (ITC), Mr. Forson said the former General Secretary of the Liberia Football Association, (LFA) Yanqueh Borsay, needed to provide further clarification since he was claming that the player could play on a provisional clearance until a proper transfer agreement is formally signed.

Mr. Forson noted that Mr. Borsay's comment has created room for speculation in the entire process saying, a provisional clearance can only be issued when the player's home country was in war and that the interested club could not make contact with the FA.

"Contrary to that, no provisional clearance can be issued to a player seeking transfer", he added.

The former I.E official, who is currently based in the United States of America then called on the LPRC-Oilers administration not to relent in pursuing the matter until the actual fact is established.

Recently, LPRC-Oilers President, Geraldine Doe Sheriff, raised concern over the player's transfer deal and disclosed that since Koko signed with the South Africans few weeks ago, there has been no further development from the deal.

19-yaer-old James Koko Lomell, signed a mouth-watering three-season contract with the Mvela Golden League outfit, AK in South Africa.

The player proved his worth in pre-season competitions and the club was impressed by his performance, thus signing him in.

According to Mr. Davis, the deal would be reviewed every three months, and the player would not be prevented from making transfer to any European club if he wanted to do so.

FC AK is said to be one of South Africa's richest clubs and has transferred nine players from the premiership to augment its squad in qualifying for the premiership.

Top on the list is Orlando Pirates net buster, Tshabalala, who, along with three others, signed for the club earlier and was featured by Bafana Bafana during the Egypt 2006 Nations Cup. Besides Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, FC AK can now boast of the biggest stadium in South Africa, which is known as the Eldorado Park.

The club coach, Ian Palmer, said with the signing of Lomell and a host of other stars, he was confident that the team would rule the Mvela Golden League.

The former Orlando Pirates player noted, "we showed class against the likes of Pirates, Sundowns, Supersports, and Cosmos in pre-season friendlies, and if we could carry such form in the season it would be hell fire for our opponents", according to www.FCAK.com.