An African footballer has reportedly accused his club of taking his passport away to prevent him from joining another side on the continent.
Check Out: Transfer Update: Vinicius Junior
Malian striker Fily Traore has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against DR Congo giants TP Mazembe, alleging kidnapping and the use of armed men to seize his travel documents, according to AfricanSoccer.com.
This troubling situation comes on the heels of FIFA's recent ruling that favoured Traore, permitting him to leave Mazembe to join Libyan outfit Swehli.
Frustrated by this decision, officials at Mazembe reportedly confiscated Traore's passport to thwart his transfer.
With support from his agents, the young striker has urgently appealed to FIFA, seeking intervention to retrieve his passport and facilitate his move to Libya.
Despite having an approved transfer, Mazembe has shockingly included Traore in their squad for an upcoming league clash against FC Tanganyika on Tuesday, which is a clear breach of FIFA regulations.
In his formal complaint, Traore highlighted the urgency of his predicament, stating: "I hereby request your urgent intervention for the recovery of my passport confiscated by TP Mazembe. Although FIFA has ruled in my favour and I have been officially registered with Club Swehli since September 12, 2024, TP Mazembe has summoned me for the match scheduled for October 15, 2024, at 15:30 in Kalemie against FC Tanganyika."
Traore expressed his frustration, noting that he has been forced to travel with the team despite having no intention of participating in the match.
"I am no longer allowed to participate in this match as long as my current registration is with Club Swehli," he asserted, pointing out the club's failure to return his passport despite previous assurances.
In an effort to resolve the situation, the Malian embassy issued Traore an emergency travel document on October 12, 2024, to facilitate his move. However, his journey hit a snag at Kinshasa airport, where unidentified armed individuals, believed to be connected to TP Mazembe, reportedly confiscated his emergency document.
In response to this, the Libyan Embassy in DR Congo has lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging intervention to secure Traore's passport. The embassy's official complaint reads: "The Embassy of Libya in Kinshasa presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of Congo and requests that it kindly intervene with the Mazembe club to return the passport of player Fily Traore."
Check Out: Man Utd Transfer News: 6 Out?
Traore, a promising Mali U23 international, joined TP Mazembe from CO Bamako four years ago, having previously been on loan at CS Don Bosco. He was the top scorer in the DR Congo championship last season, drawing interest from several clubs, including Algerian giants CR Belouizdad.
