Fifa's Dispute Resolution Chamber has ruled that Nigerian whizkid Mikel John Obi will have to return to Norway and honour his contract with Lyn Oslo.
A seven-page document signed by Fifa Deputy General Secretary Jerome Champagne stated that Obi was in breach of contract for failing to return to Lyn after taking part at this year's World Youth Championships in Holland.
"By not resuming duties with his club after having represented his under-20 national team in the FIFA World Youth Championship, John Obi Mikel has failed to perform his contractual obligations and, therefore, has committed contractual breach," the statement by FIFA`s Dispute Resolution Chamber read.
Obi's defence, according to the document, was that he would "he will return to Norway only once all the necessary documents allowing him to stay and work in the country have been sorted out."
These documents are his visa and work permit, but the DRC noted that, ". . .John Obi Mikel has been duly granted the visa and work permit required.
"It has therefore been decided that John Obi Mikel must immediately resume duties with Lyn Oslo FC in accordance with the employment contract concluded on April 22, 2005.
"Should the player fail to return to his club in Norway, the case will be submitted to the next meeting of the Chamber in order for it to take the appropriate action."
Mikel left Norway in the wake of the transfer furore generated when he agreed a contract with Manchester United last April.
Lyn Director Morgan Andersen told KICK OFF that his club has been vindicated by the Fifa ruling and says the club expect Obi to "jump on the next available plane to Norway. We want him back at once and we will welcome him back. The fans want him back and his team mates also want him back.
"With him on the team, we have a good chance of winning the title this season," Andersen told KICK OFF.
Mikel's agent John Ola Shittu was non-committal about the decision.
"We will not be saying anything about what we will or will not do," Shittu told KICK OFF.
A seven-page document signed by Fifa Deputy General Secretary Jerome Champagne stated that Obi was in breach of contract for failing to return to Lyn after taking part at this year's World Youth Championships in Holland.
"By not resuming duties with his club after having represented his under-20 national team in the FIFA World Youth Championship, John Obi Mikel has failed to perform his contractual obligations and, therefore, has committed contractual breach," the statement by FIFA`s Dispute Resolution Chamber read.
Obi's defence, according to the document, was that he would "he will return to Norway only once all the necessary documents allowing him to stay and work in the country have been sorted out."
These documents are his visa and work permit, but the DRC noted that, ". . .John Obi Mikel has been duly granted the visa and work permit required.
"It has therefore been decided that John Obi Mikel must immediately resume duties with Lyn Oslo FC in accordance with the employment contract concluded on April 22, 2005.
"Should the player fail to return to his club in Norway, the case will be submitted to the next meeting of the Chamber in order for it to take the appropriate action."
Mikel left Norway in the wake of the transfer furore generated when he agreed a contract with Manchester United last April.
Lyn Director Morgan Andersen told KICK OFF that his club has been vindicated by the Fifa ruling and says the club expect Obi to "jump on the next available plane to Norway. We want him back at once and we will welcome him back. The fans want him back and his team mates also want him back.
"With him on the team, we have a good chance of winning the title this season," Andersen told KICK OFF.
Mikel's agent John Ola Shittu was non-committal about the decision.
"We will not be saying anything about what we will or will not do," Shittu told KICK OFF.
