Manisaspor threatens legal action against Josh Simpson By Steven Sandor Posted on January 17, 2012 Comments Off on Manisaspor threatens legal action against Josh Simpson 0 545 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Josh Simpson’s playing days with Manisaspor are over, but his legal battles with the club look to be just beginning. The Turkish side announced Tuesday that it is looking at taking legal action after Simpson initiated the termination of his contract — and that would include taking the case to FIFA. Simpson is claiming a breach on the Turkish side over unpaid wages. But, at this moment, judging by Manisaspor’s language, this is an issue for the courts. If FIFA was to find the Turkish side is in the right, it could have grave consequences on the Canadian national team. According to FIFA rules, if a player has been found to terminate his contract “without just cause,” that player will be sanctioned. “This sanction shall be a four-month restriction on playing in offi cial matches. In the case of aggravating circumstances, the restriction shall last six months. In all cases, these sporting sanctions shall take effect from the start of the following season at the new club.” Josh Simpson in the stripes of Manisaspor And if Simpson doesn’t play club football, he isn’t going to play for Canada. It would be hard to see any team claiming Simpson while any legal case was ongoing. Because, FIFA states that any club signing a player who terminated another contract “without just cause” is subject to a two transfer-window ban. Simpson is claiming unpaid wages — which would be just cause. The problem is, this will need to proved in court. And, while that process goes on, the player’s career could be paralyzed — which again, would push him from being a sure part of our national team’s starting XI to the fringes of Stephen Hart’s selection process. Simpson’s national teammate, Mike Klukowski, joined him at Manisaspor in 2011, after his previous Turkish club didn’t pay his wages.
