Chelsea's David Datro Fofana in legal battle after 'stolen' transfer claim

Cameron Smith

• 22 Mar 2024 08:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana is set to be the subject of a Federal Supreme Court hearing regarding his move to Molde FK in 2021.

Fofana, 21, is currently on loan at Burnley, having joined Vincent Kompany’s side on a short-term deal in January after being recalled from Union Berlin.

The Ivorian has made only four appearances for Chelsea’s senior team since his transfer from Molde in January 2023, but he has four goals in eight games for Burnley and will play a key role in their survival bid during the final few weeks of the 2023-24 campaign.

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However, Fofana’s first club, Abidjan City FC, have claimed he was “stolen” by Molde before his move to Stamford Bridge.

According to The Telegraph, Abidjan City were unsuccessful in their case against Fofana and Molde at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and will now present the matter in front of the Federal Supreme Court.

Abidjan City president Marco Ne said: “We just want justice. Without it, it means big clubs can come and take our players. This is dangerous for African football, not just for me.”

Fofana joined Molde on a free transfer in 2021, but Abidjan City believe he had a contract at the club, entitling them to a transfer fee.

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David Datro Fofana’s legal situation

As per The Telegraph, Fofana’s first club have analysed signatures on a five-year deal and they believe other legal cases can be made regarding Fofana’s contract.

Ne added: “Many clubs would take him if he was free. He was in the national team. How could he be free? Everyone knows that he was under contract. I even talked with Leicester.

“I spoke with Kolo Touré as he is my brother from the same academy. But everyone helped the move, even the federation.

“We think this is not justice. The player had a licence with us and only with us. He started with us when he was 14 and, when he was old enough, signed for five years in 2017.”

Abidjan City reportedly want 20% of the €12 million Molde earned when they sold Fofana to Chelsea last year.