Former Heartland FC goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, says he is ready to take legal action against the Owerri-based club over unpaid salaries and breach of contract, The PUNCH reports.
Our correspondent learnt that the goalkeeper is owed nine months salaries by the management of the club.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper left the cash-strapped club following the expiration of his contract in October 2021.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Ezenwa said he had begun steps to take legal action against his former employers after the club slashed his salaries by 50 per cent, following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, without notifying him, while also refusing to pay him for services rendered.
“I have written to the League Management Company who are trying to interfere in the matter but if the club proves stubborn then I am ready to take them to court,” Ezenwa said.
“The truth is there is no way I can take the club to court without first notifying the league body and this is something that I have done.
“I recently sent another reminder and the legal team of the LMC are studying the case because I am not the only one involved. The next thing now is to give them time to allow them take a decision. Once they are done, they will let me know and if the club is not ready to do the needful, then it becomes a court case.
“The club didn’t respect my contract because first they slashed my salary without informing me and that is a breach of contract by the LMC rules.
“My contract with Heartland expired in October 2021 and there is no way they owe me that huge amount of money and I will renew my contract. I respected my contract till the end because I cannot be on a contract and be fighting the club that I play for.
“That’s why I decided to be professional. I kept playing and gave my all but the only thing I did was report to the LMC.”
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