Brazilian striker Marcos Pereira, who is currently playing on loan for Churchill Brothers, had allegedly resorted to unfair methods to swap clubs during this season and underwent selection trials at Vietnam, Salgaocar Sports Club secretary Henry Britto said.
"Marcos quit Salgaocar just before the start of the National Football League citing serious domestic problems and had left Goa with full dues paid under the pretext of going back to his home in Brazil," Britto claimed in a statement from Margao, Goa, on Wednesday.
It was a humanitarian and goodwill gesture that Salgaocar acceded to the request in spite of the repercussions it would have on the club and that too at the last moment when the NFL was about to start, he said.
"However, Marcos, who otherwise had a contractual commitment with Salgaocar till April 30, 2006 went to Vietnam to attend selection trials for a local club, which was a shocking revelation to us," alleged Britto.
"On his return to Goa in January, the Brazilian expressed his desire to rejoin the team, claiming he had sorted out his problems in Brazil successfully. On scrutiny of his passport, however, it was confirmed that Marcos had been to Vietnam from January 6 to 24," Britto disclosed, adding, Marcos later admitted and apologised for his wrongdoing.
As a matter of principle, the Salgaocar management has decided to release Marcos to play for Churchill at the request of the latter, keeping in mind the best interests of all concerned and in detriment to its own interest, Britto added.
When contacted, Marcos refused to talk about the Vietnam episode.