Democratic Republic of Congo giants, TP Mazembe have declared Philippe Kinzumbi AWOL after Tunisian club Flub Africain announced his signing.
Club Africain, on Friday, announced the signing of the Congolese striker on a free transfer and further disclosed that he has signed a three-year contract.
✦ 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗟 : Philippe Kinzumbi 🇨🇩 Clubiste jusqu’en 2027 ✅📄✍️
We are Club Africain 🇦🇹 | #TeamCA 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/suuUdvJzWq
— #TeamCA Officiel (@TeamCA_Officiel) August 14, 2024
The transfer has turned out to be controversial with TP Mazembe declaring that Kinzumbi is still under contract at the club until September 2025 and he is yet to report for training.
TP Mazembe, in a club statement, confirmed that the matter has been referred to FECOFA, the country’s football governing body before taking it up to FIFA.
“In violation of his professional contract with TP Mazembe which runs until September 29, 2025 and the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Philippe Beni Kinzumbi reportedly committed to a Tunisian club,” the statement read.
“TP Mazembe immediately referred the matter to FECOFA, which will challenge this approach to the Tunisian Federation before a complaint is filed with FIFA.
“The contract between Philippe Beni Kinzumbi and TP Mazembe has not expired and no agreement has been reached… no club wishing to sign a professional contract with this player has taken care, to date, to inform the management in writing.
“The player and any club that engages him despite this will have to pay an indemnity of more than $2,000,000. TP Mazembe remains confident and the elements in its possession irretrievably plead in its favor.”
