Greek club, Panathinaikos have accused former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien of blackmail, saying the player is demanding €651,000 compensation that he does not deserve.
Essien is reported to have filed a case at the Finance Dispute Resolution chamber of the Greek Football Federation on Monday, February 13, 2017 demanding a €651,000 as severance package over the termination of his contract with Panathinaikos last summer.
In June 2015, Essien signed a two-year-contract with the Greek giants, having played only one season due to injury worries, he saw his deal terminated in the summer of last year.
Following the termination, the 34-year-old star hired Greek lawyers, Lina and Aspa Souloukou in a battle to seek compensation from the club for refusing to pay six months of his wages during the period he played for the club.
However, Panathinaikos’ lawyer, John Carmona, turned down the player’s claims insisting that the former Real Madrid player is seeking to blackmail the Greek club.
According to the lawyer, “He [Essien] came here, he left and he is blackmailing us at the moment.”
“Of the 45 games, he could only play 17,” argued Carmona.
The Greek football Association will have to make the final decision on whether to compel the club to grant Essien’s request.
Essien, who was made the highest paid player at Panathinaikos with an annual salary of 800 Euros, is currently in London training with his former club Chelsea.
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