The bitter contractual dispute between Mamelodi Sundowns and Keagan Dolly took yet another twist on Saturday when the club accused the player’s father‚ Ramon‚ of going out of his way to drag the Pretoria side’s name through the mud.
Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe said last week there was a European club that had expressed interest in Dolly and while the mining magnate did not reveal the identity of the team‚ it has since emerged that the side in question is English Premier League club Manchester City.
But Ramon raised doubts over the revelation and said in an interview with SABC radio on Thursday that he had phoned City to test the veracity of the claims and officials at the English club said they’d never heard of anyone named Dolly.
Sundowns GM Sizwe Nzimande fired back and said he was disappointed with Ramon’s utterances.
“The sad thing is he actually knows that what the president said is true and the City Football Group‚ which Manchester City are a part of‚ had an interest in Dolly‚” a seething Nzimande said on Saturday.
“What he said was intended to make Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club look bad and we are tired of this. We do not know what his motive is but we will provide proof.”
Manchester City‚ New York City FC‚ Australia’s Melbourne City FC and Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos are all members of the City Football Group.
Nzimande furnished an email that was sent to Sundowns on August 25 last year by Brian Marwood‚ the MD of City Football Services‚ as proof of City’s advances.
City officials apparently visited the club on several occasions and also attended Sundowns games to see Dolly in action first hand.
After they were satisfied with what they saw‚ a decision was then taken to “park” Dolly at New York City FC under coach Patrick Vieira as the player didn’t have enough Bafana Bafana caps to qualify for a work permit in England.
“We have never stood in Dolly’s way and it is unfair for anyone to suggest that we were lying about the City Football Group’s interest in Dolly.”
Nzimande said City’s interest in Dolly had fluctuated over the last months and there had been periods when they remained silent before making contact with Chloorkop.
Dolly and Downs drama deepens
Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe said last week there was a European club that had expressed interest in Dolly and while the mining magnate did not reveal the identity of the team‚ it has since emerged that the side in question is English Premier League club Manchester City.
But Ramon raised doubts over the revelation and said in an interview with SABC radio on Thursday that he had phoned City to test the veracity of the claims and officials at the English club said they’d never heard of anyone named Dolly.
Sundowns GM Sizwe Nzimande fired back and said he was disappointed with Ramon’s utterances.
“The sad thing is he actually knows that what the president said is true and the City Football Group‚ which Manchester City are a part of‚ had an interest in Dolly‚” a seething Nzimande said on Saturday.
“What he said was intended to make Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club look bad and we are tired of this. We do not know what his motive is but we will provide proof.”
Manchester City‚ New York City FC‚ Australia’s Melbourne City FC and Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos are all members of the City Football Group.
Nzimande furnished an email that was sent to Sundowns on August 25 last year by Brian Marwood‚ the MD of City Football Services‚ as proof of City’s advances.
City officials apparently visited the club on several occasions and also attended Sundowns games to see Dolly in action first hand.
After they were satisfied with what they saw‚ a decision was then taken to “park” Dolly at New York City FC under coach Patrick Vieira as the player didn’t have enough Bafana Bafana caps to qualify for a work permit in England.
“We have never stood in Dolly’s way and it is unfair for anyone to suggest that we were lying about the City Football Group’s interest in Dolly.”
Nzimande said City’s interest in Dolly had fluctuated over the last months and there had been periods when they remained silent before making contact with Chloorkop.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos