Semba faces penalty in contract row

Dr. Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, executive bureau chairman of Al Nasr Club, stated that the signing of N'diyae Semba with Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad Club had to be negotiated through Al Nasr.

"Semba's signing with Al Ittihad is illegal. He is still contracted to Al Nasr till July 27," Dr. Al Tayer told Gulf News yesterday.

French striker Semba put up a good performance with Al Nasr last season finishing top scorer for the club in the league with 16 golas.

At the end of the season, Semba asked for his contract to be renewed and Al Nasr duly obliged. Under the new contract Al Nasr agreed to pay him $400,000 for a season and a $50,000 bonus if Al Nasr win the league title and $20,000 for the President's Cup.

Semba's manager, however, asked for a $1 million deal following which he took his client to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.

Semba was reportedly welcomed by the Al Ittihad chairman Mansoor Al Balwee, who is in a bid to boost his squad for the Egypt-Saudi Arabia Super Cup where his team will meet Al Ismaeeli and Zamalik on July 4 and 24.

Al Balwee was keen to sign with Semba after he impressed the club's supporters during the training sessions and warm up matches.

Dr Al Tayer said that Al Nasr had sent a letter to Al Ittihad club stating that, "Semba's contract with us stipulates clearly that if he trains or plays friendlies with other clubs while still contracted to Al Nasr he will be penalised through salary deductions.

"I think Semba has to pay us a lot of money for the several training sessions and friendly matches he played with Al Ittihad."

Dr. Al Tayer further stated that Al Nasr had asked Al Ittihad to pay them $250,000 to free Semba from his contract and play with them in the Egypt-Saudi Super Cup in July.

"The offer they made was poor and we refused. We have asked for a quarter of a million dollars for Semba and we are still waiting for their answer," Dr. Al Tayer said.