Nato�s agent labels ruling �nonsense�
Mqondisi Dube | Friday April 29, 2016 14:06
Instead, he feels there are ulterior motives where personal scores are being settled at the expense of football.
“Nato’s contract ended in December (with the Indian club). Rules state that a free agent can join anytime.
This (what has happened) goes against the rule of FIFA. Initially he was cleared and Rollers were told they could use him, and suddenly he is a defaulter?” queried Mitchell, speaking from South Africa yesterday.
He asked how FIFA could release the player’s International Transfer Certificate (ITC) if the player did not satisfy requirements.
“Last season, Nato signed for Gaborone United in February and went on to win the Mascom Top 8 with them, why was he not a defaulter? What has changed now? Can the Botswana Football Association (BFA) prove that it is not breaking FIFA laws? I find it scary that the rules are not followed,” Mitchell said.
He cast doubt over Nato’s availability in June for Zebras’ do-or-die Africa Cup of Nations encounter against Uganda.
“How do we expect him to play for the Zebras when he has been out for more than three months. It’s not a boycott. Peter (Butler) is aware of this situation.
However, we will cross the bridge when we get there,” he said.
Mitchell, who also represents Zebras goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe, said local football has been on the up in the last three years but the latest incident will leave a huge dent.
Surprisingly, Mitchell said two other big clubs, Gaborone United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs were interested in signing Nato before he settled for Rollers.
“Why did they want to sign a defaulter? Nato could have gone to France but chose to be closer to his family before his return to India.
But from our experience, he will never come back to the Botswana league (in between the Indian Premier League off season),” he said.