Exclusive: Chennai City's Romario Jesuraj allegedly negotiates with ISL outfit without informing parent club

The southern outfit who clinched their maiden I-League title this year have been left agitated by the player's move.

I-League champions Chennai City FC's starlet Romario Jesuraj has allegedly entered into negotiations with an unnamed Indian Super League (ISL) outfit, without informing his parent club. A source close to the developments has told Khel Now.

While the club might take action against the player, it has been left enraged by his actions.  “The club has functioned on the philosophy of providing a platform for local players. We expect back only respect and loyalty,” said the source. “The club is definitely bigger than a player,” he added.

The source went on to claim that this year, club officials including their head coach Akbar Nawas and assistant coach Jordi Vila, scouted players from the Senior Division League in the scorching heat of Chennai.

Further, the club has always ensured that it provides the best possible facilities to its players and staff including their personal travel and accommodation allowances, medical facilities, hotel stays and of course the best training facilities too.

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Having provided a number of such facilities, the club hopes to retain the faith and trust of its players while also maintaining their morale. The club believes that issues like this may also have an effect on the investors’ interests, which could turn out to be a big problem for them. Moreover, it may also also result in former players not recommending the local players to other top sides in the country, which will only be detrimental for the players’ own future.

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Furthermore, the source pointed out that since the player is still under contract with the I-League club, he violated norms by seeking a move with the help of his agent, who is understood to have sent his profile to the ISL outfit in question.

Adding another point to the club’s stand on the issue, the source stated that the club has always released those players coming from government organisations, which also feature in the CFA Senior Level League, whenever requested to do so. This explains that Chennai City, being the champions of the I-League, have always cooperated with the city and state football associations.