Obafemi Martins leaves African Cup of Nations for court case

Jan 15 2010 The Journal

FORMER Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins has flown back to England from the African Cup of Nations to give evidence in a case brought against him by former agents.

The 25-year-old striker flew in from Angola to contest claims from former agency Chris Nathaniel that he hadn’t paid money due to the agency NVA management.

The company is suing the star for £300,000 after cutting deals on the player’s behalf.

But yesterday Mr Martin’s barrister, Martyn Barklem, described his client as “not a commercially sophisticated or well-educated man” and said that Mr Nathaniel had “sought to take advantage of him”.

The consultancy firm allege that Mr Martins owes it £181,797, as well as 11,750 euros, after signing an agreement in July 2007.

In a written statement, it was claimed that Mr Martins agreed to pay £299,167 in return for NVA dealing with negotiations concerning his image rights with Newcastle.

NVA says it later concluded a deal on Mr Martins’ behalf with the Magpies. It also alleges that Mr Martins owes it money in relation to unpaid commissions, including work with leading brands Peak Milk, Nike and Pepsi.

Mr Barklem said that before Mr Martins met anyone from NVA he had already agreed an image rights deal worth £450,000 a year, the same sum that NVA got for him.

He told the judge: “It is difficult to see what negotiation, let alone negotiation to the value of £299,167, can have been involved on NVA’s part.”