Dong Thap’s Nigerian striker Anjembe Timothy (L) vies for the ball with Hoang Anh Gia Lai defender Nirut in a V- League opener at Pleiku Stadium in Gia Lai Province.

The ownership dispute over Nigerian striker Anjembe Timothy that flared up early this week has ended with First Division club Ninh Binh losing its claim, at least for now.

Ninh Binh had announced that Timothy belonged to them and they wanted “borrower” Dong Thap to release him midway through the season. Dong Thap, meanwhile, had countered this by saying they had no agreement with Ninh Binh on borrowing Timothy.

Speaking to Thanh Nien Wednesday, Ninh Binh Managing Director Tran Tien Dai said, “I met with Dong Thap club leaders Tuesday evening and they were determined to keep Timothy till the end of the season.

“They didn’t agree to release Timothy because I myself took him to Dong Thap and he signed a contract directly with Dong Thap.”

Asked if there was an agreement to lend Timothy to Dong Thap and if Ninh Binh had reported the matter to the league organizers, Dai said, “I didn’t tell Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) about Timothy being lent to Dong Thap at the beginning of the season and I let Timothy sign the contract with Dong Thap because there was only a few hours left before the deadline for official registration.

“Everything had to be done quickly because I had to apply for a labor license for Timothy, too. I didn’t have time to work with VFF.”

Dai avoided saying whether he came to Dong Thap on Tuesday as Ninh Binh Managing Director or a broker for overseas footballers.

However, he said, “I will surely be reprimanded because Ninh Binh chairman really wants to have Timothy now. However, Ninh Binh are getting better and better. It’s not certain having Timothy would make it better or worse. Also, Ninh Binh might negotiate with Dong Thap again and Dong Thap might agree, who knows?”

Dai said he had met Timothy, who has scored eight goals so far in the V-League, and had asked him which club he wanted to play for and Timothy had said either would do.

Speaking to Thanh Nien Wednesday, Dong Thap club Managing Director Le Ngoc Chuc said, “I have heard Ninh Binh have a contract with Timothy. I didn’t know about it because I wouldn’t have signed a contract with him if I had known. It would be illegal.

“I’ve been very tired the past couple of days because the leaders have been asking a lot of questions. Everyone has been worried Timothy would leave Dong Thap now. But I am sure it will not happen.

“I might be penalized if I let Timothy go. Dong Thap fans wouldn’t agree. Timothy can’t leave Dong Thap at this moment!”

There is still a question mark over whether Ninh Binh signed a three-year contract with Timothy in January 2009 as the northern club’s chairman Hoang Manh Tuong said on Tuesday.

Timothy is a professional footballer and he must know that he would be banned if he had two contracts with two different clubs.

Reported by Lan Phuong