Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng are set to put forward a complaint to FIFA regarding New Zealand international Shane Smeltz.
The 28-year old striker left A-League club Gold Coast United this week to complete a $300,000 move to Turkish Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi (which Gold Coast have agreed to) but it seems it may not be a clear cut transfer as Shandong are set to complain after Smeltz signed a contract with them before walking out days later.
It is believed that FIFA will make a ruling shortly but if sanctioned, Shandong may receive compensation of $1.3million or Smeltz could be banned for six months.
Gold Coast chief Clive Mensink argues that because Smeltz's International Transfer Certificate was not cleared to Shandong, the player was able to leave the club without legally breaking the contract.
"Gold Coast United stands by its position on retaining the International Transfer Certificate, and we've always been confident of that position," he said. "Equally we're confident that the evidence will show this position is correct. We deem Shane to be our player and it's up to another club to prove otherwise."
