Marumo Found Guilty By FIFA Over Breach Of Contract

Marumo Gallants were found guilty of breaching the contract of former player Ovella Ochieng and need to pay the winger R428,817 in compensation in order to avoid a FIFA ban.

The 22-year-old, who is now on the books of Township Rollers, joined Gallants from Vasalund in Sweden in August 2019 and left the club in January 2022 without making a single appearance for the club.

There had been an ongoing contract dispute between the player and Gallants after the Premier Soccer League side failed to register him and subsequently did not pay him his agreed salary.

The club had argued that because they were unable to register him they were not required to pay his salary, but Ochieng took the matter to FIFA’s Disciplinary Resolution Chamber, which ruled in his favour, as confirmed by international sports lawyer Evert De Bruyn.

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“The Single Judge of the FIFA DRC (correctly) rejected the club’s argument that it was not be obliged to pay the salaries of the player due to the fact that he did not render any services to the club, as the registration of the player could not be timeously affected with the South African Football Association,” De Bruyn stated.

“The Single Judge mentioned that the Club was bound to a valid employment contract with Ochieng, and that it shall be considered that it had breached said contract, by not properly registering Ochieng and by failing to pay his monthly remuneration.

“The FIFA DRC awarded Ochieng payment of his arrear salaries and compensation.”

Gallants will now have to pay the player R428,817 for “breach of contract” and will receive a ban from registering players if they fail to do so in the coming 45 days.

Full FIFA DRC ruling below: