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Nicolas Anelka's move to Atlético Mineiro off after striker fails to arrive Nicolas Anelka's move to Atlético Mineiro off after striker fails to arrive
(about 4 hours later)
Atlético Mineiro have pulled out of a deal to sign former West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka as the striker took too long to report to the club. Atlético Mineiro have pulled out of a deal to sign the former West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka as the striker took too long to report to the Brazilian club.
Club director Eduardo Maluf had told the media Anelka had until Monday to report to the club and sign his contract, but on Tuesday he said Anelka's agent had told him the player was in Kuwait for a religious trip. The club director Eduardo Maluf had told the media that Anelka had until Monday to report to the club and sign his contract, but on Tuesday he said Anelka's agent had told him the player was in Kuwait for a religious trip.
""He had the obligation to let us know about this in advance," Maluf said. "Atlético is much bigger than this, the deal is off." "He had the obligation to let us know about this in advance," Maluf said. "Atlético is much bigger than this, the deal is off."
Club president, Alexandre Kalil, announced the deal to sign Anelka on 6 April, with the club already marketing the Frenchman's arrival, to play alongside former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Ronaldinho for the Copa Libertadores champions. However, Maluf announced on Tuesday that he would no longer be joining the club. The club president, Alexandre Kalil, announced the deal to sign Anelka on 6 April, with Atlético already marketing the Frenchman's arrival, to play alongside former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Ronaldinho for the Copa Libertadores champions. However, Maluf announced on Tuesday that he would no longer be joining the club.
Maluf said it was the third time the player and his agents "gave excuses" for his failure to report to the club, and that the club is now considering a complaint to Fifa against the player and his agents, saying they broke their agreement with Atletico. Maluf said it was the third time the player and his agents "gave excuses" for his failure to report to the club, and that Atlético are now considering a complaint to Fifa against the player and his agents, saying they broke their agreement.
The 35-year-old striker has been without a club since West Brom fired him in March following a five-match suspension for a racially aggravated goal celebration. Anelka said he was the one who terminated his contract with the Premier League club.The 35-year-old striker has been without a club since West Brom fired him in March following a five-match suspension for a racially aggravated goal celebration. Anelka said he was the one who terminated his contract with the Premier League club.
The former Manchester City and Chelsea player was suspended for performing the quenelle gesture that is regarded as antisemitic. The former Manchester City and Chelsea player was suspended for performing the quenelle gesture that is widely regarded as antisemitic.