Asian players’ association helps free African footballers

The Asian division of the international players’ association, FIFPRO, has helped free two African footballers who were being held in custody.

The Cameroonian players were being detained in Java and Bali for overstaying their visas whilst having contract disputes with their clubs but the negotiations of the Asian section made it possible for them to be released.

Noah Ndjee Bakena was detained for two months whilst trying to get a payout from his club, Persik Bogor whilst Serge Ngakou Elongo was detained for three months awaiting a similar payout from Persib Surabaya.

Both men have been released in the last two weeks.

“In both cases FIFPRO Asia had to pay the legal fees and fines to secure their freedom and paid for their airfares back to Cameroon. In the case of Bakena, his former club has been ordered to pay US$30,000 in damages by FIFA, but Persik Bogor officials have yet to comply. Elongo's case has also been referred to FIFA's disputes resolution chamber,” Michael Cockerill reported in the Sydney Morning Herlad.