Report: Chennai City FC release Spanish quartet using 'Force Majeure' clause

The four players have returned to their country last week.

Days after East Bengal and other Indian clubs terminated their players' contracts by activating the 'Force Majeure clause, Chennai City FC also followed the same path.

The former I-League champions have released their foreign players, as club president and owner Rohit Ramesh informed the media about the same.

Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa and Swiss forward Jan Muzangu had already left the club before the coronavirus outbreak. However, their Spanish quartet of Sandro Rodriguez, Nauzet Santana, Fito Miranda and Roberto Eslava were still in India and only departed home last week after they were all released by the club. The four Spanish players still had a year left on their respective contracts, states a report in The Times of India.

"We have followed the FIFA guidelines while triggering the clause. Anyway, we aren't the only Indian club to face such a crisis. Infact, clubs across the world are taking such drastic measures. Also, the Indian football season is over and there is uncertainty too over our next AFC Cup fixture. But, we will pay them till the time they have played for us. However, we have also kept an option that we might recruit them next season if they don't sign up with other clubs, Ramesh said.

The club's decision to terminate the contracts wasn't welcomed by the players. Players like Roberto Eslava and Sandro Rodriguez played a crucial role in Chennai City's I-League triumph and the latter was disappointed by the treatment of the club after spending so much good time there. However, Sandro's ACL injury forced him to remain on the sidelines throughout the season and he did not mince his words on the club's decision.

" The club has decided to end my contract without notice and unilaterally. Not the way I would have wished to say goodbye. While I enjoyed myself in the first season and won the title, it was an unfortunate injury which ruled me out for the season. But, I have fully recoovered now and the termination has come as a bitter blow," the Spanish midfielder opined.