Serbian goalkeeper Obren Cuckovic has spoken out about the long process that he had to endure to ultimately have his case against Swallows FC sorted out via FIFA.
Swallows FC have just had their transfer ban lifted after settling all payments due to Cuckovic and Vladimir Mandic.
CONFIRMED | Yet another coach on 'special leave' in drastic coaching shake-up
The duo filed their breach of contract case with FIFA in 2017 that ultimately led to Swallows falling under a transfer ban which was then lifted on Friday after finally clearing all payments paving way for them to make new signings.
The Birds have since registered Evans Rusike and will be adding Daniel Akpeyi and Bongani Sam this week.
While the FIFA ruling was issued mid-last year, Swallows only eventually made payments last week after it became apparent that they will be relegated and drop the value of their franchise by millions if they don't make new signings.
"The issue with Swallows started when I met a lawyer from Germany during a seminar about FIFA regulations," Cuckovic tells KickOff.com from Serbia where he is now working as first assistant at struggling Serbian third-division club OFK Backa Palanka.
"I told him (the lawyer) the problem that I was having with Swallows, and he agreed to work on the case right away.
"Prior to this, I had already given up on all matters related to Swallows because I didn't want to waste any further time because I felt I had been cheated by the club.
"After a while, my lawyer called and said the chances are getting bigger because FIFA passed a law around issues like mine not acceptable anymore.
"This I say in reference to a club changing a name and expecting everything to be cleared like that.
"That is ridiculous.
"So, step by step my lawyer went through every document until we won the case, and the club was banned.
"I'm not blaming the current officials at the club but some of their interviews were not understanding of my situation.
"How they acted after the FIFA ban is not how businesspeople should react when there are such issues.
"However, it is over now and credit to my lawyers Goran Stojanovic from Serbia and Jan Schwelle from Germany for doing a good job.
"The truth and justice maybe be slow, but it is attainable for sure.
"I hope Swallows make good signings and survive relegation because a club like that deserves the best," says Cuckovic.
Cuckovic played only two games for Swallows as they were relegated from the PSL in the 2014/15 season while Mandic scored once in 16 games in the same season.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In