Spanish players association alleges Huesca of violating Nwakali’s labour rights

The Spanish Football Players Association (AFE) has alleged SD Huesca of violating the labour rights of Nigerian midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali.

SD Huesca had announced the termination of Nwakali’s contract on Tuesday but the player on Wednesday revealed that the club stopped him from representing the Super Eagles at the African Cup of Nations.

He also added that the AFCON was slighted by the club as an “unimportant competition” and he felt disrespected by the treatment from the club.

Nwakali also alleged the club of holding his salary back.

In a statement on Wednesday, the players union said it will file a lawsuit against Huesca over the violation of the player’s rights.

In an official statement, Huesca said; “After communicating the Huesca Sports Society, this past Tuesday, April 5, the end of the contractual relationship that it had with the soccer player Kelechi Nwakali, the Spanish Soccer Players Association wants to state the following:

“The D. Huesca notified the footballer that a disciplinary file was being opened on February 4, 2022 due to alleged events that have led to the club's unilateral decision to fire the player.

“Since the enormous defenselessness that this situation was causing in the affected person became known, he made himself available to Kelechi Nwakali, advising him and defending his legitimate interests.

“Given the numerous information that is appearing, some erroneous, AFE wants to clarify that the dismissal will be challenged -as it cannot be otherwise- before the courts of the city of Huesca with the aim of continuing to safeguard the labor rights of the soccer player.

“AFE understands that, with this unilateral resolution adopted by the club, the labor rights of Kelechi Nwakali have been clearly violated.”

Nwakali represented Nigeria at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and did not play for Huesca since returning from the competition.

The club had alleged the player of returning late while the player accused the club of disrespecting the terms of his contract.