Timothy (C) is now V- League’s current best scorer with eight goals, but second-flight club Ninh Binh claim they have already signed a three-year contract with him

Current top scorer in the nation’s top flight V-League, Nigerian striker Anjembe Timothy, is at the center of an ownership dispute between his current team Dong Thap and First Division club Ninh Binh.

Pham Duy Tien, Deputy Director of Dong Thap Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told Thanh Nien Tuesday: “Broker Tran Tien Dai (also managing director of Ninh Binh) introduced Timothy to us at the beginning of the season when the club was in need of good players. Dai said the Nigerian had tried out at several places but other clubs had enough foreign players, so they couldn’t take Timothy.

“Dai said he had just transferred Timothy from Nigeria and Timothy needed to play in a club to retain his form and that Dong Thap could use him for one season.

“We then tested Timothy and accepted him, so we immediately signed a one-year contract with Timothy. After that, we sent related documents to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) alongside his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) which Timothy had since he tried out at Hoa Phat Hanoi in 2008.

“I don’t know why Ninh Binh claim Timothy has signed a three-year contract with them and asked to have him at the end of the first half of the season.”

Tien said Dong Thap would be willing to talk with Ninh Binh if Timothy “really belonged” to them and the northern club “really want him back,” but “in fact, I myself signed a contract with Timothy and as far as I know, Dong Thap don’t have any agreement with Ninh Binh about borrowing Timothy. How can we release him?”

Meanwhile, Ninh Binh club chairman Hoang Manh Tuong said, “I signed a three-year contract with Timothy in January 2009.

“I got to know about Timothy two years ago and I was pleased with his profile. He was a member of the Nigerian national team. He is a good player.

“Before the 2009 season kicked off, I really wanted him to be in the official list registered with VFF, but the then coach Doan Minh Xuong was not good at judging players and didn’t agree.”

Tuong said that Timothy is playing exceptionally for Dong Thap now. After eight rounds, he has scored eight goals.

“I regret it (letting Timothy go) and have talked with the coaching staff about a plan to take Timothy back to play for us in the second half of the season,” Tuong said. “His presence will help the club be promoted to the V-League next season.”

Tuong also said he had neither made nor read a contract to lend Timothy to Dong Thap because he said he authorized the club managing director Tran Tien Dai to take care of everything.

He said he knew the contract lasted one season, but said he wanted to halve it.

“Dong Thap borrowed Timothy without having to pay Ninh Binh a penny. I want Dong Thap to return Timothy,” Tuong said. “Ninh Binh are ready to lend another player if Dong Thap need it. We are also willing to pay compensation if Dong Thap ask for it. Now I only want Timothy. Dong Thap should return him to us to keep good relations between the two clubs.”

Dai came to Dong Thap Tuesday to negotiate the issue.

The problem is Timothy could be banned from playing if Ninh Binh have sufficient evidence to show he belongs to them, and is working for another club under another contract.

VFF General Secretary Tran Quoc Tuan told Thanh Nien Tuesday: “Now, Timothy is under Dong Thap’s management. Before the start of the season, Dong Thap registered the Nigerian player with all the legal papers.

“Whether, Timothy will play for Dong Thap till the end of the first half of the season then play for Ninh Binh in the second half, is a problem between the two clubs.

“If Ninh Binh claim they have only lent Timothy to Dong Thap, they must have enough documents to prove it. The league organizers will only step in if the two clubs bring the dispute to us.”

Reported by Dang Khoa-Lan Phuong