B. Chelsea consider court action against Esperance

Berekum Chelsea are heading to court to enforce a FIFA ruling over a US$1.4m plus five percent interest due payment from Esperance for the transfer of Emmanuel Clottey in 2012.

The Tunisian club have failed to honour the ruling after the March 5 deadline. Esperance were also to cough up US$100,000 in legal fees but have failed to pay a dime to the Ghanaian club for the transfer of striker Emmanuel Clottey.

The Ghana international was sold to Esperance in 2012 on the back of an impressive display in the CAF Champions League where he emerged the top scorer of the competition with 12 goals.

But the Tunisian club failed to pay Berekum Chelsea the due transfer fee, prompting a legal battle at FIFA.

The world football governing body on January 15 ruled, awarding US$1.4m plus five percent interest to Chelsea payable within one month by Esperance.

But the Tunisian giants have failed to honour this ruling after the March 5 deadline – which expired eight days ago.

Berekum Chelsea now look to wage another legal campaign to have further sanctions slapped on the Tunisian club in their bid to retrieve their money.

“They [Esperance] have not paid the amount and therefore the only option available now again is to take them to court,” Berekum Chelsea’s General Manager Francis Oduro Sarfo told GHANAsoccernet.com.

Esperance risk relegation to the lowest division in Tunisia and suspension of their license to conduct player transfers to and from the club.