News
Agüero takes Barcelona to court over $3m unpaid wages
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Sergio Agüero has filed a lawsuit against Barcelona for €3 million ($3.2m) over money owed as part of his 2021 contract termination and the matter is still in court, an official report sent to the Catalan club’s members has revealed.
The 36-year-old joined Barça from Man City on a two-year deal in 2021 but he made just five appearances before being forced to retire after suffering heart problems during a LaLiga game against Alavés.
He officially announced his retirement in December 2021, reaching an agreement with the club to end his contract early.
However, a report detailing Barça’s financial accounts for the 2023-24 season has revealed the former Argentine player launched legal proceedings against the club earlier this year.
“On May 29, 2024, ex-player Sergio Agüero filed a claim for €3m that, according to him, he is owed as part of the resolution agreement to end his working relationship with the club,” the report states.
“As of June 21, 2024, there was no conciliatory agreement between the parties. The club is now waiting for the claim to be processed by a local court for the next step in the procedure.”
The dispute with Agüero is one of nine legal cases detailed by Barça in the section of the report titled ‘Litigation.’
Another reveals that a company named ‘Scores Sports Management’ is demanding €10m ($10.9m) for their role in the transfer which saw winger Ousmane Dembélé leave Barça for Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth €50m ($54.6m) in 2023.
“On June 18, 2024, the club was notified of a claim filed by the company Scores Sports Management requesting €10m for their supposed intermediary role in the transfer of Dembélé to PSG,” the report explains.
“The case has been taken up by a local court given the club’s opposition and desire to contest the claim.”
The cases are listed by Barça given their potential financial implications.
The report was sent out to select members this week ahead of the club’s AGM on Oct. 19, when members will have the opportunity to challenge the 2023-24 financial results.
At the AGM, Barça will present losses of €91m ($99.4 m) for last season.
On Friday, Barcelona also lost a legal case to get a half million-dollar bonus from Zenit St. Petersburg that the Russian club did not have to pay because it was barred from the Champions League following the invasion of Ukraine.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said on Friday it dismissed Barcelona’s appeal against a FIFA ruling last year in a contract dispute over the transfer of Brazilian winger Malcom.
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
‘I didn’t break up with him’ – Tiwa Savage speaks about divorce from TeeBillz
SEC orders public companies to publish financial statements online by Jan 2025
Let oracles decide Owa-Obokun stool, contestant tells Osun govt, kingmakers
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News19 hours agoLeadership crisis rocks office of AGF, may delay payment of Dec salary
-
News14 hours agoWike revokes Abuja lands of Buhari, Akume, Abbas, others
-
News13 hours agoOoni’s Ex- Wife, Naomi, 7 Others, In Trouble As 35 Kids Killed In Oyo Stampede
-
News19 hours agoJust In: FCT High CourtG admits ex Gov. Bello to N500m bail
-
News19 hours agoJust in: Again, Dangote Reduces Petrol Price
-
News19 hours agoAfenifere demands for unconditional release of Farotimi
-
News19 hours agoSEE NAIRA Rates Against The USD, GBP, EURO Today December 19, 2024
-
Opinion18 hours agoSONNY ECHONO AT 63: BIRTHDAYS NOT REST DAYS