Former Ghana international Michael Essien is seeking recompense of €651,000 from Greek side Panathinaikos, according to GHANASoccernet.
The former Chelsea player reportedly tabled the demand on Monday, with his two lawyers appearing before the Finance Dispute Resolution chamber of the Greek Football Federation.
Essien is seeking payment for the remaining one year on his contract with Panathinaikos. The player reached an agreement with the club at the start of this season to end his contract, but he is now demanding that they compensate him for the additional year.
GHANASoccernet reports that this is because “the previously agreed monthly payment of €91,250 was not honoured for six months by the Greek club, which forced his lawyers to report Panathinaikos to the football authorities”.
The Greek club will not take the matter lying down. Their lawyer, John Carmona, argued: “He (Essien) came here, he left and he is blackmailing us at the moment. Of the 45 games, he could only play 17.”
The Greek football authorities will now decide whether Essien, who is currently a free agent and training with Chelsea while he seeks a move elsewhere, is due payment from the club.
Source: African Football
