Foreign player alleges cheating by Malappuram football team, lodges complaint with SP

Malappuram: A football player from Ivory Coast who came here to participate in the Sevens football matches has lodged a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, Malappuram, alleging that he was cheated out of his remuneration.

Kanke Kuwazi, who arrived Kolkata from Ivory Coast last January before moving to Malappuram, was recruited to play for United FC Nellikuth team in Manjeri. He was promised a remuneration of Rs 5,000 for playing two matches. However, after fulfilling his part of the agreement, he was not paid, and was also denied the food allowance.

According to Kuwazi, he has been sustaining himself with the help of fellow African players from Delhi since January, as the team officials failed to contact him post the matches. With his visa expiring on July 3, Kuwazi decided to take legal action against them and file a formal complaint.

Meanwhile, the Malappuram SP has summoned the agent of Kuwazi to the SP Office.

Generally, foreign players brought in for Sevens football matches are provided with travel tickets, food allowances and accommodation, making this incident particularly concerning.