Royal AM have released a long statement after they have suffered yet another FIFA ban over alleged payment issues with Brazilian international defender Ricardo Nascimento.
The club said Nascimento was released from his contract towards the end of last season with two months to go but insisted he was paid in full for May and June.
Nascimento, though, took the case to FIFA, who ruled in his favour over the May and June salary, which Royal AM insist they already paid – hence the club seem confident their latest transfer ban from 15 January will be “uplifted in due course”
“At the end of April 2023, two months before the expiry of Mr Nascimento contract, Royal AM FC terminated the contract and paid out Mr Nascimento the remainder of the unexpired term of his employment contract, May and June 2023,” read the Royal AM statement.
“Mr. Nascimento referred to a contractual dispute to FIFA DRC for payment of the salary for May and June 2023, payment of the salary for the option period which was not exercised by Royal AM FC, and R120 000,00 bonus.
“On the 28th of September 2023, FIFA DRC granted Mr. Nascimento an award for payment of R600 000. Royal AM FC appealed with CAS and requested a motivated decision from FIFA.
“On the 7th of November 2023, FIFA notified its motivated decision, which upon perusal Royal AM FC established that the award made by FIFA DRC was salary for May and June 2023, which Royal AM FC had already paid to Mr. Nascimento.
“All other claims by Mr. Nascimento were rejected by FIFA DRC. In light of this revelation, Royal AM FC, the CAS appeal was withdrawn.
“FIFA notified Royal AM FC of the transfer ban on the 15th of January 2024, for non-compliance with the award that Royal AM FC had already paid.
“Royal AM FC legal representatives are in the process of clarifying this issue with both FIFA and Mr. Nascimento’s legal representatives and have already provided proof of payment to FIFA.
“The registration ban shall be uplifted in due course.”
Meanwhile, Royal AM also confirmed that they are still hopeful of winning the case of Samir Nurkovic, who was released from his contract without kicking a ball last year.
Royal AM were found to be wrong in this case and received a ban, which resulted in them not being able to sign players during the off-season and in this January transfer window. They were told to play Nurkovic for R12 million, but club boss Shauwn Mkhize rejected this.
“Royal AM FC confirms that the appeal against the FIFA decision in the Nurkovic matter is still pending at CAS,” said the statement.
“The delay in finalization in this matter has been occasioned by the refusal by Mr. Nurkovic and FIFA to have an expedited procedure and the refusal by Mr. Nurkovic to pay his share of the advanced costs.
“Royal AM FC has paid the full advanced costs which includes Mr. Nurkovic’s share of the advanced costs.
“It is worth noting that Mr. Nurkovic has now expressed his desire to have the matter expeditiously and Royal AM FC agrees with this proposal, currently we await a directive from the CAS office regarding the appointed arbitrator in this matter, the procedure to be adopted and the allocation of the date of this hearing.”
