Sedick Adam banned by FIFA

Football's world governing body Fifa has banned Ghanaian striker Saddick Adam for four months for abandoning his contract with Etoile du Sahel to sign for Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

The youngster was also handed a fine of US$120,000 for his abrupt decision of leaving the Tunisian side, according to reports in the Tunisian media.

If the ban takes effect from this month, he should be available for the Black Satellites during the World Youth Championship in September if he is selected.

However, after four months he will be able to join any team he would like and it is widely expected that Atletico will keep him thereafter.

FIFA's board has ruled in favour of Etoile Sportive du Sahel after the striker's defection following the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea.

The Ghana youth player had originally signed a contract with the Tunisian side prior to the tournament but his stock rose so high off his strong performances that he decided to breach it in favour of joining Atletico Madrid in Spain.

The decision comes more than a year after Etoile deposited their official complaint over the matter.

Adams' fine is double the amount of money spent by the Sousse-based side at the time of his signing.

It is unclear whether Atletico Madrid will cover the fine or if the player will be expected to procure the money himself.

The ruling from Fifa raises serious questions about the agents who advised the then minor to break his contract with Etoile to sign for the Spanish side.

Adams is said to have received advice from a Nigerian agent and his Ghanaian accomplice over the botched deal.

In a related development, The agent, who coaxed Saddick Adams into illegally abrogating his contract with Etoile du Sahel which resulted in a ban and fine by Fifa, has bizarrely claimed that decision favors the Ghanaian striker!

Football's world governing body banned Adams for four months for abandoning his contract with the Tunisian side to sign for Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

According to the Tunisian media, the youngster was also handed a fine of US$120,000 by Fifa for his abrupt decision of leaving Etoile.

Adams' two-year fight with Etoile at Fifa means he has not been able to play any competitive club matches during the period while the career of his peers has taken off.

But in a strange spin to the tragedy that has affected the career of the young striker, Jones Abu Alhassan, the Ghana FA member who acted on behalf of the player during the illegal deal, says it is a positive decision even though they are yet to receive a copy of FIFA's ruling.

"The player has sat out for a really long time so the four months I imagine will have taken care of itself," Alhassan told KickOffGhana.

"The bottom line is that Saddick will be the one who benefits.

"He will be free to play for one of the best clubs in the world, AshantiGold will earn more money and the player himself will have a contract far better than what Etoile had offered."

FIFA's board ruled in favor of Etoile after the striker's defection following the 2007 Under-17 World Cupin South Korea.

The Ghana youth player had originally signed a contract with the Tunisian side prior to the tournament but his stock rose so high off his strong performances that he decided to breach it in favour of joining Atletico Madrid in Spain.

The decision comes more than a year after Etoile deposited their official complaint over the matter.

Adams' fine is double the amount of money spent by the Sousse-based side at the time of his signing.

It is unclear whether Atletico Madrid will cover the fine or if the player will be expected to procure the money himself.

The ruling from FIFA raises serious questions about the agents who advised the then minor to break his contract with Etoile to sign for the Spanish side.

Adams received advice from a Nigerian agent and his Ghanaian accomplice Alhassan in the botched deal.

My Ultimate Comment:

This surely should be an advice too the young and up coming sporting personalities. You just don't take things for granted. Agents must have a certified document from FIFA before you end up dealing with them

Better be advised next time, Sedick.