‘Samir Nurkovic deserves zero’ – Royal AM lawyer

SABC Sport on Wednesday exclusively broke the news the world football governing body had instructed the South African Football Association [SAFA] to implement a transfer sanction on the Durban-based outfit until an amount of R12-million owed to striker Samir Nurkovic has been settled. 

Nurkovic, signed from Kaizer Chiefs as a free agent a year ago but served with a termination notice just three months into the agreement, took Royal AM to FIFA and subsequently won the case. 

But his former employers have so far ignored an award issued in his favour for the club to pay him, his agent as well as the legal fees incurred. 

Reacting to the transfer ban that has since been handed down, Thobejane told Metro FM they were not interested in paying Nurkovic until the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] has deliberated on their side of the story.  

“We have requested urgent interim relief – we can do that in terms of the CAS rules so that the ban can be uplifted immediately and the appeal can proceed,” he told Sports Night Amplified host Andile Ncube. 

The Premier Soccer League season kicks off in about a month’s time and Royal AM are in a race against time to sign new players, but Thobejane insists they can overturn the current FIFA ban.  

“Royal AM are saying if, at the end of the day and after reasons are given and CAS have considered the matter, we are found to be in the wrong the appropriate amount owed to Nurkovic will be paid. But not R12-million,” the attorney said. 

“For now, in terms of the merits, we believe he is not entitled to anything – he is entitled to zero, that is what would be fair to him. We will determine the amount applicable based on the contract. The entire award is incorrect, so let’s wait for the final decision from CAS. We did not act negligently in this matter, we acted in good faith, but Nurkovic does not deserve anything.”