JEDDAH, 24 November 2007 — Al-Ittihad Club President Mansour Al-Balawi denied rumors the Jeddah-based club secretly signed Sierra Leone international Mohammed Kallon after he disappeared without a trace from Riyadh, where he was scheduled to sign a contract with Al-Hilal Thursday night. Kallon was reported to have secretly left the Saudi capital for Jeddah.
Al-Balawai issued the denial at a press conference yesterday after Hilal officials announced at a press conference late Thursday night that they were surprised to learn that Kallon had checked out of his hotel room and boarded a private jet that flew him to Jeddah. Hilal officials said that Kallon had tarried all day long Thursday as he requested more time to think over their offer.
Without directly naming the Ittihad president Hilal officials accused him of unrightful interference and foul play as they assumed that he had a hand in changing the player’s course in favor of Ittihad.
The two rival clubs have had their fair share of disputes between them over player signings starting with Khames Al-Uwaran and ending with Hamed Al-Muntashari, which created a large gap in their relations.
The Ittihad president said that the reports carried by the media were based on rumors. “We have already signed up three non-Saudi players this year and Kallon is not one of them,” he said. In the Saudi league you are only allowed to sign three non-Saudi players, he said. He said, “I wish that the media would have contacted us (club representatives) before jumping to conclusions.
“We (Ittihad) don’t own the authority over who arrives or leaves Jeddah,” he added.
He added the club is going to press charges against those who made slanderous remarks against the club in yesterday’s papers or through other venues.
He added that the media and other club representatives need to be aware that the club management is much aware of the rules and regulations involving player signings.
