Bogdanovic deal in the balance?

The transfer deal of Malta international Daniel Bogdanovic from Valletta to Bulgarian Division One club ChernoMore was put in doubt yesterday as his clearance was not issued in time by the Malta FA before the January transfer window was closed on Friday.

Contacted yesterday, Valletta FC president Joe Caruana Curran said Bogdanovic was supposed to have shown up on Thursday. He had to sign one final document before the club could terminate his contract. That would have paved the way for an international clearance.

Bogdanovic travelled to Bulgaria last week to complete his transfer negotiations. He then opted not to return and start training for his new club, currently preparing to resume after the winter break.

"This is certainly an uncomfortable situation to be in," Caruana Curran said. "But, as things stand, Bogdanovic is still our player, technically."

Bogdanovic had an escape clause in his contract which said Valletta FC would release him without compensation if he was to join another team abroad.

ChernoMore were keen to sign the player and even applied for his papers last Tuesday. But a Malta FA official yesterday said that they could not meet ChernoMore's request since Bogdanovic was still under contract with Valletta FC.

Bogdanovic, however, could still get the green light to move if the Malta FA fails to inform ChernoMore of its decision within a stipulated time frame. FIFA will then be in a position to issue a provisional clearance.