SCOTS REFS INSIST VAR IS A MUST
MOTHERWELL have told Columbus Crew to pay the compensation fee for Chris Cadden by Monday or they will take their case directly to FIFA. The winger moved to the MLS side on Tuesday before immediately signing for Oxford United on a season-long loan. The League One club had been interested in signing Cadden after his Motherwell contract came to an end but were put off by the £350,000 compensation fee they would have been liable for. A loophole was discovered that because all MLS sides are recognised as category four clubs, meaning they don’t pay development fees, Cadden could move to America for free before then making the temporary switch to Oxford. The Fir Park club believe they are entitled to £200,000 for having developed the winger since the age of nine and would like to get the matter sorted as quickly as possible by working directly with Columbus. But with the American side believing they are permitted to not pay a penny, Motherwell are prepared to go straight to football’s governing body — if an agreement can’t be reached. Despite all this, Fir Park manager Stephen Robinson insists he feels no animosity towards his former winger and hopes he can continue his success in England and America. ‘I knew from a long time ago that Chris wasn’t going to sign (an extension at Motherwell),’ admitted Robinson. ‘We offered Chris the best contract we possibly could. ‘We did everything in our power to make sure Chris stayed from long before the end of the season, so I didn’t think he’d stay. It’s one of those things. ‘Everyone is entitled to move on. There are no hard feelings towards Chris in any shape or form. ‘I’ve spoke to him since and he goes with my best wishes. ‘He’s a great boy and has been a very good servant — but the club are rightly due their compensation from developing the boy since the age of nine. ‘I’ve got no view on him playing for Oxford. Obviously, he is Columbus Crew player. ‘We’ve got to try and make sure we get the compensation we are due. What’s the point in developing a young player from nine years of age if we’re able to find a loophole where you don’t have to pay anything? That is out of my hands. There are people above me dealing with that, so I’ll leave that to them.’ While the off-field drama continues, Robinson is preparing his side for their final Betfred Cup group match against Annan Athletic this afternoon. Victory for Motherwell will see them finish top of Group E undefeated and be one of the eight seeded teams in tomorrow’s last-16 draw. ‘We haven’t qualified yet and we want to go as top seeds,’ said the Motherwell boss. ‘Annan have proved to be a difficult opponent in all the games. ‘We have to be top of our game again. We have to be patient as we have been in all the games and try and wear them down. ‘We’ve done okay (in the group) — we have to temper our expectations a little bit in terms of we were expected to win the games. That hasn’t always been the case in the Betfred Cup, some of the Premiership clubs have struggled a little bit. ‘It’s understandable because it is hard to break teams down and they have nothing to lose, so they play without any fear.’