Sliema Wanderers are determined to fend off any attempts by Jackson Lima and Jorge Santos Silva to rescind their contracts with the club.
Jackson Lima and Jorge have written to the Malta Football Asso-ciation requesting their release from Sliema over an alleged breach of contract but club president Keith Perry yesterday told The Times that the Wanderers are challenging those claims.
“We’re aware that Jackson Lima and Jorge Santos Silva have sent letters to the MFA asking for their release but we’re disputing their arguments,” Perry said.
“We intend to argue our case strongly in front of the Malta FA.”
Jorge has not reported for training with Sliema since filing his request with the MFA on Monday while Brazil compatriot Jackson Lima attended Monday’s practice session but failed to turn up the following day.
It is believed that Perry and other high-ranking Sliema officials on Tuesday met with Jorge and Jackson Lima to try and sort out any differences but they failed to come to an agreement.
Jorge joined the Wanderers last summer after impressing during his one-year spell with Vittoriosa Stars while Jackson Lima is in his second season with the Blues after penning a new two-year deal last March.
Earlier this season, the Malta FA upheld the applications of Carlos Campagnoli, Florent Raimy and Emiliano Lattes to be released from Marsaxlokk who approved their players’ request.
The decision by Jorge and Jackson Lima to seek their release from Sliema has cast a shadow over the team’s preparations for their important league clash with Birkirkara on Sunday.
Moreover, the course of action taken by the two Brazilian players inevitably sparked suggestions of potential interest from other Premier League clubs.
Stripes trials
Dutch defender Regillio Nooit-meer, 28, yesterday joined BOV Premier League club Birkirkara for a trial.
The much-travelled Nooitmeer last played for FC Haka in the top flight in Finland.
Another two foreign players are expected to start trials with the Stripes in the coming days.
Up to a few days ago, Marsaxlokk captain Carlo Mamo looked certain to join the Stripes but negotiations apparently fell through.
Tarxien Rainbows, who had been on the verge of agreeing a deal for ‘old boy’ Mamo a few weeks back, have rekindled their bid to sign the Malta left-back and negotiations over his transfer are believed to have reached an advanced stage.