Former Lobi Stars player Raphael Ayagwa has shown that the malaise that worries NPFL clubs is not a preserve of the league.
The midfielder, who starred for two NFPL clubs, including Lobi Stars and Plateau United, has also had a few stints outside the country.
Raphael Ayagwa is in the eye of the storm following his altercation with his last club, Aswan FC, in Egypt.
Accused of several infractions against Raphael Ayagwa, including assaulting the player, Aswan has drawn worldwide attention, forcing FIFA to clamp down with its hammer.
Raphael Ayagwa accused his club of owing him some money, and after their investigation, FIFA agreed with the Nigerian midfielder and mandated the club to pay him his emoluments.
Aswan gets FIFA ban over Raphael Ayagwa case
Raphael Ayagwa has won a landmark case against his former club, Aswan, following the harsh way he was treated, in the wake of the conclusion of his contract at the club.
Egyptian second-division outfit Aswan will face a three-year transfer ban after they lost their case against their former player.
Reports suggested that Raphael Ayagwa, who joined the club from Lobi Stars in 2022 on a free transfer, received the short end of the stick as the Egyptian club tried to bully him.
Aswan was relegated at the end of the 2022/23 season and saw several of their players leave the club, including the former Plateau United midfielder.
Raphael Ayagwa came under intense pressure from the club over his unpaid wages. The club tried to force him to sign documents in Arabic, but the player refused as he could neither read nor speak Arabic.
It led to officials of the club manhandling him and physically attacking the player, causing injuries to his chest, arm, and knee. The club also confiscated his phone and bag in a mild form of terrorism against the player.
UGLY!
Officials of Egyptian club ASWAN Club allegedly assaulting Nigerian football Raphael Ayagwa for his refusal to be cajoled into being paid a fraction of what he is being owed.#EgyptFootball pic.twitter.com/jTRoBu8S69
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) July 15, 2023
According to a FIFA statement, Aswan held the midfielder against his will.
Following the incident, FIFA came down on the club. They have slammed a three-year transfer ban on Aswan and ordered the club to pay Ayagwa his unpaid wages in full.
Also, considering the injuries and trauma caused to him, the FIFA DRC awarded the player moral damages equivalent to six months of wages.
FIFPRO appreciates FIFA's decision over Raphael Ayagwa
Following the decision of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) on the case between Raphael Ayagwa and Aswan, FIFPRO, who presented legal representation for the midfielder, was full of appreciation to FIFA for serving justice.
According to FIFPRO, they opined that the player terminated his contract with the Egyptian club lawfully.
In a statement by the organisation, given the egregious circumstances, the former Plateau United player flew to Nigeria and immediately terminated his contract.
The contract termination invoked “just cause” based on Article 14 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
Aswan handed transfer ban by FIFA over Raphael Ayagwa dispute –https://t.co/IZ491pYSGk pic.twitter.com/k5UamcXxcq
— Egy24 – مصر24 (@Egy24Official) February 15, 2024
The midfielder thanked FIFPRO for their support and expressed his happiness.
“I want to thank FIFPRO Africa for their help and professionalism during a very unfortunate and difficult period of my career,” he said.
“I’m glad justice is served and hope that this judgment will serve as a lesson and deterrent to other clubs,” the midfielder concluded.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago