FIFA bans Sadick Adams

On 21 May, 2009, FIFA judged that Seddick Adams’ defection from the Sousse-based side in order to sign for Atletico Madrid was unlawful.

FIFA’s board ruled in Etoile Sportive du Sahel’s favour over Seddick Adams’ defection following the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea.

The Ghana youth player had originally signed a contract with the Tunisian side prior to the tournament but his stock rose so high off his strong performances that he decided to breach it in favour of joining Atletico Madrid in Spain.

The decision came more than a year after Etoile had lodged their official complaint over the matter. Adams has been suspended for four months and fined 160,000 Tunisian dinars, which is double the amount of money spent by the Sousse-based side at the time of his signing.

It is unclear whether Atletico Madrid will cover the fine or if the player will be expected to procure the money himself. However, after four months he will be able to join any team he would like and it is widely expected that Atletico will keep him thereafter.

The ban on Sadick Adams ruled him out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in Egypt, hence wasn’t part of the history making Black Satellites when they became the first African side to win the competition.