Real Valladolid has formally initiated legal proceedings against Manchester City and Sierra Leonean footballer, Abdulai Juma Bah, in response to a contentious transfer situation that has recently unfolded. The La Liga club claims that Manchester City played a significant role in Juma Bah’s unilateral decision to terminate his contract with them, an action they believe undermines their interests and integrity.
In an official statement released on its website, Real Valladolid detailed the sequence of events leading up to the legal action, stating that Juma Bah informed them of his intention to end his contract shortly after Manchester City contacted the club to discuss a potential transfer.
The Spanish side alleges that the Premier League club encouraged the decision, accusing them of bypassing usual protocols by negotiating directly with the player without obtaining prior agreement from Real Valladolid.
Compounding the issue, Juma Bah has reportedly missed multiple training sessions following his decision to terminate the agreement, an action the club labels a breach of his contractual duties.
The club’s frustration is palpable, particularly in light of the fact that they had previously rejected more lucrative financial offers for the talented Sierra Leonean player.
Real Valladolid emphasized that Juma Bah remains at a legally protected youth stage in his career and had recently refused to sign a new license that could have elevated him to a higher-category team within the club. Such a refusal would have automatically increased his release clause, which the club sees as another aspect of the player’s questionable conduct.
The statement from Real Valladolid included a clear message of disappointment: ‘‘The player’s decision to unilaterally terminate his contract has left us vulnerable and is perceived as unjustifiable, especially after the support we provided him since he joined our training facility last summer on loan.’’
The legal action asserts that Juma Bah’s recent moves have been influenced by Manchester City and his agent, further aggravating the situation for the La Liga club, which insists it acted in good faith throughout the loan and purchase process.
Last January, Valladolid exercised the option to buy Bah’s federative rights from AIK Freetown, believing they had secured a promising future with the young talent.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation has confirmed the receipt of Juma Bah’s deposit to terminate his contract unilaterally, prompting Real Valladolid to reserve the right to pursue both legal and sporting actions to protect their rights and interests.
As the situation develops, both clubs and stakeholders in the football community are closely watching the unfolding events surrounding the controversial transfer saga, raising questions about player conduct, contractual obligations, and club responsibilities in the competitive landscape of professional football. Real Valladolid remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving the matter and ensuring that justice prevails.
