April 1 – Already without the services of former England midfielder Adam Johnson, imprisoned for six years after his conviction on charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl, struggling English Premier League team Sunderland have now had to sack one-time Arsenal fullback Emmanuel Eboué, who has been banned from football for 12 months by FIFA because of an unpaid debt owed to his former representative.
Previously a free agent, Eboue signed a short-term deal with the relegation-threatened side in March but has not played a single first-team game.
Eboué’s only hope of making a contribution between now and the end of the season hinges on him swiftly finding an estimated €1 million – and soon.
English authorities did not know about the unpaid debt and Sunderland maintain they performed “due diligence” on the Ivorian, who last played for Turkey’s Galatasaray.
Sunderland mnager Sam Allardyce said the club were “completely in the dark” over the dispute which started in July 2013. “I’m massively disappointed like everyone else is,” said Allardyce. “The problem is what has happened in the past has caught up with Emmanuel, for whatever the reason. He has got a ban and the contract gets terminated on that basis.”
“The people he’s relied on haven’t communicated well enough with him and he hasn’t communicated well enough with them.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714610885labto1714610885ofdlr1714610885owedi1714610885sni@w1714610885ahsra1714610885w.wer1714610885dna1714610885