FAM struggles to clear Cameroonian Lionel Asu
Be Forward Wanderers might wait a little longer before featuring their Cameroonian import Lionel Asu as FAM is struggling to clear him under the online transfer matching system (TMS).
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) facility and TMS manager Casper Jangale confirmed yesterday that the striker, who completed his transfer by signing a one-year contract on Friday, cannot be traced in the system from his last Thai club Kaben United.
FAM needs to ascertain whether Asu is indeed Cameroonian and a free agent before issuing his international transfer certificate (ITC), Jangale said.
Having lost key players Mike Kaziputa and Rafik Mussa to red-card suspensions, Wanderers need quality players such as Asu.
“The player says he went to Thailand, but in the system it’s not showing. I have since written to Thailand and Cameroon football association, to see how best we can get him registered,” Jangale said.
“For you to appear in the system, you must have been transferred using the same system or featured in Fifa-sanctioned competitions. Sometimes, you do not appear in the system if you were transferred as a minor and a paper-based ITC was issued.”
Fifa transfer regulations state that “players registered at one association may only be registered at a new association once the latter has received an International Transfer Certificate from the former association. The association issuing the ITC shall lodge a copy with Fifa.
“TMS works to increase transparency and integrity within the football community and enforces the Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players. TMS is a web-based regulatory system used by all 209 member associations and over 6 000 football clubs to manage international transfers of professional male players within the scope of eleven-a-side football,” reads www.fifatms.com.
Asu’s representative, Prince Jere, yesterday confirmed that the clearance had delayed because the two parties wasted time on the recent transfer fee disagreements. Asu already obtained a two-year work permit.
“What is just needed is to send his photocopied copy of the passport to all relevant parties involved in the clearance. Wanderers have made a part payment and once cleared, Asu should be able to play. They have met some of the conditions such as air ticket refund and housing allowance, but I can’t go in details to avoid creating confusion,” Jere said.
Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao asked to be called later whereas his deputy Chris Kananji said he was not competent to comment as he was outside the country.
Asu is a powerful striker who won the hearts of the Nomads in the pre-season with his work rate. Jere claims that Asu scored 19 goals in 22 games last season at Kaben.
