MIKEL SPAT LATEST

Last updated : 01 February 2006 By Editor
From the Guardian:

John Obi Mikel's lawyers last night called on Chelsea and Manchester United to end their dispute for the good of the Nigeria international's career.

United wrote a letter last May demanding that Fifa impose a transfer ban on Chelsea and expel them from certain competitions for their alleged illegal approach for the player. Mikel again requested that United release him from his contract - something Fifa's disputes chamber is arbitrating - and urged interested parties to open constructive dialogue.

The statement said: "The player is caught in the middle of this dispute between Manchester United and Chelsea. He is intent that that should change. To achieve his footballing dreams he demands that matters are resolved quickly between those interested in his future. He has put himself in the hands of the footballing authorities and he calls upon them to intervene. To which end I and his agent are willing to meet whoever, whenever and wherever to break this deadlock."