By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
FC Kallon and FC Johansen have both claimed that they have signed East End Tigers striker, Baimba Sesay. The striker who scored 12 goals in Sierra Leone’s top tier league last season, is one of the hottest commodities in the current transfer market.
Baimba played for East End Tigers in the Premier League last season, helping them finished 9th in the league.
In a statement from FC Johansen last week, the club stated: “The Executive and Management of Johansen Football Club is proud to confirm the signing of Baimba Sesay.”
The statement added that the player is supposed to move to FC Johansen for a season long loan.
Another statement from East End Tigers said Baimba was moving to FC Johansen on loan. Tony Junisa Kallon, Secretary General of Tigers also confirmed this on Sunday with Politico.
But FC Kallon Secretary General, Alhaji Komba, told Politico that they have also signed the player.
“Yes, we have signed Baimba” he said, when contacted for clarification amidst rumors of their involvement in their signing of the player.
East End Tigers officials did not respond to questions about why FC Kallon is claiming that they have also signed the player
However, there was a new twist over the weekend when Baimba who was supposed to have signed and be unveiled for FC Johansen did not show up.
FC Johansen’s Head of Media, Kemo Sesay told Politico that the unveiling had to be postponed because of reasons beyond their control.
A new player in the controversy has emerged, Giants of Grassfield United. The club is claiming that they own Baimba and have used that right to sell Baimba to FC Kallon on a three-year deal.
“Baimba Sesay played for East End Tigers without any RELEASE from the above-named football club. We have not loaned neither sell him to East End Tigers Football Club. Baimba Sesay has a contract with us ending 2021,” the club said in a statement.
The statement added: “We also want to let the general public and football loving fans know that the player Baimba Sesay has been transferred to FC Kallon for a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.”
East End Tigers didn’t respond to claim of ownership by Giants of Grassfield United.
Sources close to the player said he has not kept quiet on his desire to play for FC Kallon. The club finished as runners up last season in the Premier League.
Baimba’s transfer saga is setting up a grandstand thug of war between football legend Mohamed Kallon and FA President, Isha Johansen, whom are both owners of FC Kallon and FC Johansen respectively.
If the situation drags out, ownership of the player will have to be eventually proven by documentations that will be presented to the FA. With FC Johansen now a member of the Premier League Board and the club owner being the President of the FA, there will be a clear question surrounding fairness and conflict of interest.
© 2019 Politico Online
