Basel bid Giménez goodbye
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Article summary
Swiss champions FC Basel 1893 have parted company with Argentinian striker Christian Giménez just hours before their game at Werder Bremen.
Article body
Refused to travel
Legally, the split between the two parties will take effect once Giménez signs a deal elsewhere, with UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Olympique de Marseille a possible destination. The Swiss club decided to terminate his contract after the 30-year-old refused to travel to Bremen for Wednesday's game, in order to remain eligible for European competition in the event of a transfer.
Four-year stay
Former CA Boca Juniors forward Giménez, who joined Basel from FC Lugano in 2001, was under contract until June 2006 with an option for an additional season, but will now leave after scoring 93 league goals in 123 appearances, winning three Swiss titles. Basel led Bremen 2-1 from the home leg, but lost 3-0 in Germany and now enter the UEFA Cup first round.
