FAZ DENIES OWING ASANOVIC AS FIFA ORDERS THEM TO PAY
FOOTBALL House has denied owing former Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic any dues after world football governing body FIFA awarded damages to the Croatian.
It is reported that FIFA has ordered the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to pay Asanovic US$1.1 million for wrongful dismissal.
In January last year, Asanovic signed a four-year deal but only served eight months before being sacked by FAZ.
However, the Croatian took FAZ to FIFA, protesting his dismissal.
FAZ general secretary Rueben Kamanga has confirmed in a statement that FIFA has ruled in the Croats’ favour.
“We wish to confirm that FIFA has informed FAZ of its decision to award damages to Mr Aljosa Asanovic who reported the association to FIFA after having abandoned his post in unclear circumstances.
“FAZ duly submitted its records of having paid Mr Asanovic his dues up to the point of his desertion. We attached all the evidence of payment in our counterclaim, and it remains our hope that justice will be done,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga said Asanovic was appointed under Zambian laws and was deemed to have deserted after having absconded from work for more than 10 days.
“Additionally, his contract was performance-based tied to qualification to the CHAN, AFCON and FIFA World Cup.” he said, “FAZ has engaged FIFA on the matter will be exploring various ways to ensure that the decision is reversed as FAZ had met all its obligations to Mr Asanovic,” he said.
Mwebantu