Malian striker Fily Traore has officially reported DR Congo giants TP Mazembe to FIFA, accusing the club of kidnapping and using armed thugs to confiscate his travel documents in an attempt to prevent him from leaving the country, AfricaSoccer.com has learned.
This alarming development follows FIFA’s recent ruling in favor of Traore, allowing him to leave Mazembe to join Libyan side Swehli. Frustrated by the decision, officials at Mazembe allegedly seized Traore’s passport to obstruct his transfer.
With the backing of his agents, Traore has written to FIFA, requesting urgent intervention to compel Mazembe to return his passport so he can travel to his new club in Libya. Despite his desire to leave and an approved transfer, Mazembe has named him in their squad for an upcoming league match against FC Tanganyika on Tuesday, a move that violates FIFA regulations.
In his formal complaint to FIFA, Traore emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I hereby request your urgent intervention for the recovery of my passport confiscated by the TP Mazembe club. Although FIFA has ruled in my favor and I have been officially registered with Club Swehli since 12 September 2024, TP Mazembe has summoned me for the match scheduled for Tuesday, 15 October 2024, at 15:30 in Kalemie against FC Tanganyika.”
Traore further detailed his predicament, mentioning that he has been forced to travel with the team despite having no intention of participating in the match, stating, “I am no longer allowed to participate in this match as long as my current registration is with Club Swehli.” He expressed frustration over the club’s failure to return his passport, despite assurances from club officials.
On October 12, 2024, the Malian embassy issued Traore an emergency travel document to facilitate his move to Libya. However, he was stopped at Kinshasa airport on Sunday night, and his emergency document was confiscated by two unidentified armed individuals believed to be connected to TP Mazembe.
In response to the situation, the Libyan Embassy in DR Congo has formally complained to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging intervention to secure Traore’s passport.
“The Embassy of Libya in Kinshasa presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of Congo and requests that it kindly intervene with the Mazembe club to return the passport of the player Fily Traoré,” the embassy stated in its official complaint.
Traore, a young Mali U23 international striker, joined TP Mazembe from CO Bamako four years ago, having previously spent time on loan at CS Don Bosco. He was the top scorer in the DR Congo championship last season, attracting interest from several clubs, including Algerian giants CR Belouizdad.
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