Polokwane City owner demands R2-million compensation from former coach Luc Eymael

Polokwane City boss Johnny Mogaladi wants as much as R2-million in compensation after his coach Luc Eymael defected to Bloemfontein Celtic last week and is ready for a long legal battle‚ according to several sources with intimate knowledge of the impasse.

Eymael was not issued with a registration card ahead of his planned debut match in charge of Celtic on Saturday against Cape Town City‚ despite having received a new work permit.

The Belgian coach was forced to sit in the stands as he awaits a Dispute Resolution Council hearing next week.

The hearing on March 30 at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will determine whether Eymael will have to pay compensation to his former club after abruptly quitting and then joining Celtic just days later.

Mogaladi‚ who could not be reached for comment on Monday‚ objected last week to Celtic registering Eymael as their new coach and the PSL‚ resultantly‚ did not issue the coach with a card to take up his place on the bench.

Instead Lehlohonolo Seema continued as caretaker coach as struggling Celtic again failed to win at home in a goalless draw with Cape Town City.

Eymael confirmed that City were asking for compensation and Celtic officials told Times Media Digital that this would have to be sorted out by the Belgian himself with his former employer.

Celtic officials said they would not be offering any ‘transfer fee’ for their new coach.

Officials predicted it could become a long drawn out battle and Eymael’s chances of being able to settle the matter before Celtic’s next match – ironically away against Polokwane City on April 1 – were not looking good.

But he will continue to work at Celtic where he had taken charge of training after arriving last week‚ picked the team and communicated with his bench by text during the game.

Polokwane City are arguing that if they had sacked Eymael he would have sought compensation so they too should be entitled to a payout after the Belgian’s sudden resignation‚ sources explained.

- TMG Digital