Ivory Coast – The Distasteful Tale of Dindane

April 18th, 2010 | by: Elliott | Comments Off

All flowers grow from a pot of dirt. Despite the darkness of relegation at season’s end, the fairytale run to the FA Cup final has given Portsmouth’s fans a bit of solace. It also has rejuvenated the form and confidence of one Aruna Dindane. But all is not well…

Apparently, if Dundane plays in the FA Cup final, it will trigger a clause in his contract from Lens that will require Portsmouth to pay 4 million pounds. Pompey does not have that cash (Sporting Life)

Avram Grant has stated his claim – if Lens want to sell the player this summer and the player is competing for a World Cup place, then games at Pompey can lead to that spot and a nice transfer. See the equation yourself (The Press Association)

Just for clarification, the French club would have allowed him to play in the FA Cup final. But they remained adamant that he cannot play any other games. (Portsmouth.co.uk)

Portsmouth refused to accept this “one off deal.” They adamantly believed that the player would need Premiership games to be fit & match sharp for the tie against Chelsea. (Sportbox)

In a sense, this situation reflects the sad state of Pompey affairs. They cannot afford success. On the other hand, these sort of payday-player-loans with hidden games-clauses reek of usury and, ultimately, its the player who suffers.

As is normally the case, both sides are being unreasonable, viewing the situation as black/white and either/or. Its sad to see a person, a professional no less, being treated as chattel. And we the viewers miss out.

Update

The Lens chairmen adamantly refuses to even let Dindane play in the final against Chelsea. And Portsmouth have also worked out arrangements with first team players to avoid paying bonuses for their respective Final appearances. (BBC)