Newman Sianchali
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
TROUBLED Hwange Football Club have terminated the contract of slippery striker Newman Sianchali in a move inside sources said might further escalate simmering tensions between the club and players.
Sianchali’s contract was due to run up to December 2017, although he had written to the club requesting a mutual parting of ways at the end of this season citing unfulfilled contractual obligations by the club.
However, Hwange felt the player might no longer give his best performances for the club and chose to immediately terminate his contract.
“The club administrator just informed me this morning (yesterday) that I was no longer part of the team.
“He said I should excuse them as they wanted to discuss the strike issue and when I asked him the reason why I shouldn’t be part of the discussion, he said my contract has been terminated,” said Sianchali, who was scouted from Binga by suspended coach Nation Dube in 2014.
Sianchali, whose goals for Chipangano were usually with a touch of brilliance, said he was forced into requesting a mutual termination as a number of agreements were not fulfilled.
His decision was also in line with Article 13 of the Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players, which states that a contract between a professional and a club may only be terminated upon expiry of the term of the contract or by mutual agreement.
“If the player had indicated that he wants the contract to be terminated by mutual agreement, but the club has gone on to terminate it before the date said by the player, then the club could be found wanting in terms of football laws.
“They will have to fulfil all the existing contractual obligations until that time the contract is mutually terminated,” said a football law expert.
Article 16 of the same regulations reads: “A contract cannot be unilaterally terminated during the course of a season.”