FIFA has compelled Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club, competing in Vietnam’s top-tier V.League 1, to pay US$29,000 to a Ghanaian player following a dispute over contract termination payments.

FIFA’s ruling, issued on August 30, ordered Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC to pay Ghanaian striker Martin Dzilah $29,000, including interest, to the bank account he provided in Vietnam. 

The club were also instructed to pay within 45 days, or they would risk facing a ban on registering new players.

Dzilah, born in 1997, joined Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC in October 2023 for the 2023-24 season.

He played only three matches, totaling 225 minutes, without making a significant impact.

In February 2024, Dzilah and Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC mutually terminated the contract.

The two parties reached a compensation agreement on March 21, with the club agreeing to pay Dzilah $20,000 after nearly a month of negotiations. 

Dzilah confirmed receipt of the amount in the official minutes.

However, after some time without the funds appearing in his bank account, Dzilah enlisted the help of a representative company, Joseph Bannerman, to file a lawsuit with FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber.

On June 28, FIFA requested that all relevant parties submit supporting documents through its legal portal by July 18 for the Dispute Resolution Chamber’s consideration. 

Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, however, claimed they had not received any information regarding this request.

A club representative stated that the side could only respond to FIFA’s August 30 ruling on September 7 via the provided email.

They included a photo of the contract termination minutes signed by Dzilah, which noted, “I received $20,000” in English. 

However, due to their late response, missing the July 18 deadline, the Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled in favor of Dzilah.

Currently, Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC are working diligently with FIFA to present evidence related to the case. 

FIFA has indicated that if necessary, they will publish documents regarding the Dispute Resolution Chamber’s decision on their online portal.

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