Well embroiled in Cadden cash row with MLS
Motherwell Chief Executive Alan Burrows is concerned that the Steelmen might not receive the £200,000 they’re due from Chris Cadden’s summer switch to Columbus Crew until 2022.
The winger had been part of the Steelmen’s Academy for 10 years.
He made 129 first-team appearances for the club, won 12 Scotland Under21 caps and played for the senior side against Mexico and Peru last year.
Cadden signed for the MLS outfit in June, and immediately joined Oxford United on a season-long loan.
The League One outfit had wanted to sign him before his move to the States, but refused to pay the £320,000 crossborder development fee required.
Cadden has subsequently been a regular for Karl Robinson’s team while Motherwell wait to be recompensed.
The MLS announced in April that they would honour FIFA’s training and solidarity system, which guarantees compensation fees for clubs which bring players through their ranks.
However, Motherwell can’t reach agreement with them and are now ready to take their case to FIFA.
“We’re still in discussions with the MLS, who handle these negotiations,” said Burrows.
“In America, the MLS – rather than the clubs – own the players’ contracts. There have been a few offers from them so far, but there hasn’t been one we could accept.
“The SFA have offered us support, with a watching brief. But FIFA insist that both parties give each other a fair chance to resolve any disputes prior to them becoming involved in arbitration.
“I would say we’re coming to the end of that stage now. The talks with MLS have been amicable, but we’re looking for a significant sum for a player we took on as a young boy and turned into a full international player.
“FIFA are trying to speed up the process for dealing with this kind of thing. But their wheels tend to move slowly.
“I know of a similar appeal, involving two British clubs, which has been in their system for three years now.
“Put it this way. It wouldn’t surprise me if the compensation fee for Chris won’t be included in our accounts for 2019/20 – and they won’t be published until December of next year.”