The case of striker Mevlan Zeka, 31, registered at UTA Arad, enters a new phase a month after "Gazeta Sporturilor" reported the unprecedented situation in the Super League in recent years.
Approached as a free agent in this transfer window, the Kosovar does not want to return to the team, citing personal reasons. The top scorer in Kosovo, with 22 goals, last season, played for Suhareka, for which he was also captain.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeHaving his first experience abroad, the attacking player left for his homeland, immediately after the first preparatory camp with the team, and never returned. Recently, Zeka cut off all communications with the club he belongs to, so the Arad management has warned to send him to FIFA.
The talks have been taken over by the player's manager, who is trying to "resettle" him, without any compensation, with another team, with whom he has been training for several weeks.
UTA Arad demands that the contract be respected
Mevlan Zeka had been on UTA's radar since the spring, when he was impressing in the Kosovo championship, so officials took quick steps to bring in the 182-centimeter-tall striker.
The first signs of discomfort appeared early in the preparations. Although he appeared in good spirits when he appeared in front of the staff and teammates, the player later complained, which did not go unnoticed in the dressing room.
A day after returning from the training camp, Zeka spoke to the club's management, requesting two days off to go to Kosovo to be with his wife, who had recently undergone surgery.
General manager Alexandru Meszar approved his request, but warned him that he would fall behind in his physical preparation, given that the start of the new championship edition was scheduled for a week later.
"Regarding the statement, we ended up communicating only through lawyers. It seems that we are not going to get along, we have announced it, so we will go to FIFA, because we do not want to create a precedent. We demand that the contract be respected, we relied on his services, we gave up other strikers to transfer him, who are now no longer available on the market," Alexandru Meszar of UTA told GSP.ro.
"A contract must be respected by both parties. If tomorrow all the players ask us to break the contract, due to personal problems, what should we do?! He doesn't pay, we end up in FIFA. Then, our demand is that he returns to the team and pays compensation."
Zeka is training in Suhareka
According to GSP information, Mevlan Zeka has been training with his former club, FC Suhareka, since last month, despite the personal problems he claims to have.
He even wants to sign an agreement, but he can't because of the contract he has with the residents of Arad.
His manager tried to reach a mutually agreed termination of the contract, also giving him a sum of money, but UTA did not accept the proposal.
The team led by Adrian Mihalcea has not paid Zeka any salary so far, citing his absence from training.
"I can't wait to see you in the stadium, UTA fans. I'm here to give my best and to succeed. What attracted me the most was that many players I played with are here. I think it's a competitive and strong championship. I hope we enjoy a good season and win something together," said Mevlan Zeka.