Katlego Mphela's agent, Glyn Binkin, has responded angrily to Mamelodi Sundowns' claims that he is trying to destabilise the club.
Sundowns published an article on their website stating that Binkin was trying to mislead the public and destabilise Sundowns ahead of Mphela's imminent exit to join Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the season.
However, Binkin refutes the comments, and in a statement he has said:
"It is with deep disappointment that I am forced to address a statement issued and released by Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club on their club website, dated 12 January 2014, 11h59, wherein the club have responded to an article published in the Sunday Times newspaper of same date, the said article titled “ Still room to manoeuvre in Killer deal” and written by Marc Strydom.
"In terms of the MSFC website it is claimed that I have suggested a figure to the media in terms of which the player Katlego Mphela is earning R 300,000 a month. It is further suggested that myself and Kaizer Chiefs FC have indicated that Sundowns could save themselves R 1,8 million over the remaining part of his contract by releasing the player to Chiefs now. In addition, the website alleges that I am 'misleading the public' and at the same time 'destabilising' Sundowns by making such statements.
"These statements are false and defamatory.
"Firstly, I have never discussed Mr Mphela's earnings with the media nor would I do so, as this is a confidential matter and any confidential facts and figures pertaining to my clients is always treated with the utmost respect.
"Secondly, the Sunday Times article published by Mr Strydom does not quote me claiming that Mr Mphela is earning R300,000 a month. Mr Strydom accepted that I was unable to reveal this information to him. The reported figure of R300,000 a month has been circulating in the media for some time now and at no stage has Sundowns ever endeavoured to clarify the accuracy of such speculative reports.
"Thirdly, I have never attempted to 'mislead the public' nor 'destabilise' the Club. Indeed, I have brought several players to the Club over the years, many of whom have been very successful.
"Finally, in terms of Mr Mphela not attending training, at no time have I ever advised the player to stay away from training. The player is under contract to Sundowns until 30 June 2014. It is in the player's interest to co-operate with the club whilst he is under contract. In any event, I can confirm that the player has indeed returned to training at the club at this time.
"Accordingly, these damaging statements made by MSFC are rejected outright.
"I will not comment any further on this matter other than to confirm that I have handed this matter over to my legal advisors for further action in this respect."
By Joe Crann
Follow Joe on Twitter: @YesWeCrann
