Nigeria Premier Football League side Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) has declared its player, Ayodele Ismail, absent without leave (AWOL), alleging he left the squad without permission amid an apparent unauthorised transfer move.

The Ibadan-based club made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday, accusing Abdelhamid Adel, an Egypt-based football agent, of being behind the disappearance of the player from the Oluyole Warriors’ camp without permission. 

“Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) wishes to inform the general public that our player, Ayodele Ismail, is currently Absent Without Leave (AWOL), having failed to report for official club duties despite being under a valid contract.

“The club is also aware of the involvement of an unprofessional agent, Abdelhamid Adel, who is affiliated with AMB Sports Management (Egypt), regarding the player’s unauthorized absence. This constitutes a serious breach of the player’s contractual obligations,” the club said. 

The 3SC management warned prospective buyers that Ismail is still legally contracted to the club, noting any transfer negotiation must be with the Oluyole Warriors. 

“Ayodele Ismail remains a contracted player of Shooting Stars Sports Club, and any club, intermediary, or representative interested in his services must engage directly with the club through the appropriate channels,” the club stated. 

The club added that it had taken steps to report Adel to world’s football governing body FIFA for unprofessional conduct. 

“We have reported the unprofessional conduct of the Egyptian-based agent to the appropriate body in FIFA. Shooting Stars Sports Club remains committed to protecting its contractual rights and will take all necessary steps in accordance with the applicable football regulations,” the Oluyole Warriors added.