Tsartas demands AEK exit
Thursday, December 12, 2002
Article summary
The Hellenic Football League is to rule on Vassilios Tsartas's demand to terminate his AEK Athens FC contract.
Article body
AEK Athens FC playmaker Vassilios Tsartas has filed an application with the Hellenic Football League (EPAE) demanding the termination of his contract with the club.
Money dispute
Tsartas, who signed a three-year contract with AEK in July 2000 after leaving Sevilla FC, is also claiming money he believes is owed to him, partly in bonuses for making the UEFA Champions League first group stage. Two weeks ago, AEK's major shareholder Makis Psomiadis indicated to the player that his contract was unlikely to be extended under the current terms.
Court to decide
The case will now be discussed on 17 December by the EPAE. For their part, AEK are refusing to pay the 30-year-old and claim he has been contacting other teams even though his contract has more than the statutory six months to run. Tsartas, through his lawyers, denied that allegation.
Problems for coach
With Tsartas out of the team, AEK have not recorded a win in five league matches, one short of a club record set in 1973, and lie in eighth place. They are, however, still in the UEFA Cup. AEK head coach Dusan Bajevic said: "I would have liked to count on Tsartas for AEK's games, but the situation is beyond my control."
