Clubs wait for transfer money from Carew deal

Three Norwegian first-division clubs are still awaiting compensation from French Ligue 1 club Lyon, money owed to them after the transfer of John Carew to the French club from Spanish La Liga club Valencia.

Carew played for Norwegian clubs Rosenborg, Valerenga and Lorenskog between the ages of 13 and 23. The clubs are entitled to five percent of the transfer fee every time he moves on to a new club. Lyon signed the striker for EUR 7.6 million last summer, but none of the clubs have received any money from the deal. Lorenskog is entitled to 2.5 percent and Valerenga and Valencia to 1.25 percent.

The clubs have tried to put pressure on Lyon independently, but to no avail. “We are not used to this kind of behaviour,” said Rosenborg director Nils Skutle. “I spoke to the director of Lyon when I was in Geneva for a UEFA meeting a few weeks ago. I raised the subject and he was surprised that the money hadn't been sent and he said that he would resolve the issue. They asked us to send an invoice but they are so slow. I meet the Lyon director regularly and if he hasn't paid the next time we meet then there will be problems.”

Rosenborg have asked a debt recuperation company to help them secure the funds while Valerenga has appointed a lawyer and Lorenskog are working with the Norwegian Football Federation.