Seydou Zerbo Krol, the coach of Burkina Faso, has issued a threat to take legal action against his former club, Asante Kotoko, by involving FIFA due to unpaid wages.
Zerbo was appointed as head coach of the Reds to replace Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum, who guided the team to win the 2021/22 Premier League.
In an exclusive interview with Kumasi-based Fox FM on Monday, July 17th, Zerbo discussed his departure from the Porcupines for the first time, expressing his disappointment over the club’s failure to settle his three-month salary arrears.
“I have started the process to drag Kotoko to FIFA in order to get my three months’ salaries. After the Medeama defeat in Kumasi, the CEO Nana Yaw Amponsah came to see me and informed me about the decision to terminate my contract. Indeed it was a sad moment for me but I had to accept it and move on,” Seydou Zerbo
“We signed an agreement that I will receive three months’ salary following my contract termination but I haven’t received it as of this time. I have called Nana Yaw Amponsah several times but he does not respond. I have even sent him many messages and the situation is the same and so right now my next step is to gather all the documents and report the club to FIFA.”
“I am told a new board is to be named. I want them to settle me, pay my salary arrears but I have no option than to go to FIFA if they fail,” Coach Zerbo concluded.
According to the terms of his contract, if the team failed to secure a victory in four consecutive official matches under his leadership, Kotoko’s management could terminate the agreement without compensation. As the team failed to achieve a win in four successive official games during his tenure, this clause was not activated.
As a result of the club’s decision to terminate the contract, Zerbo is entitled to compensation equivalent to his three months’ salary. The Burkinabe coach was earning a monthly salary of 3,000 USD at Kotoko, amounting to an overall compensation of 9,000 USD, equivalent to 108,900 New Ghana Cedis.
Zerbo’s dismissal occurred on March 27, 2023, following a Ghana Premier League defeat against Medeama SC at the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium. He had signed a 12-month contract to become the head coach of Kotoko on August 2, 2022.
As per the contract terms, the club had the right to terminate Zerbo’s contract with a 14-day notice if he failed to secure a winning result in four consecutive official matches, without the obligation to pay any compensation.
