According to a Premium Times report, Henry Galliano, an American football agent, was physically assaulted by assistant coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, at the Rockview Hotel in Owerri.
The story claims that the incident occurred, because of Kelechi Iheanacho’s decision to pick Galliano as his agent, instead of the one recommended by Amuneke. Iheanacho, who was voted the best player at the just concluded U-17 World Cup in UAE, has been attracting interest from top European clubs and it is understood that he signed an agent deal with Galliano. A copy of this agreement was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on October 21.
Recalling the incident, Galliano and his Nigerian partner, Solomon Oluwaseun, said: “The coach invited us, we went to see him and he started threatening Kelechi that he should follow him to Abuja to sign with his agent who is working with a Nasiru Jubril, a staff of the NFF; or else Nasiru, the man in charge of the ITC (International Transfer Certificate), will not release kelechi’s ITC to him and they will both make sure that he is banned from Nigeria football; also he will not get a good club.
“When the agent tried to talk back, the coach slapped him and beat him up in the presence of over 25 people,” Solomon said.
Galliano, on his part said: “I came here to take Kelechi to his club. FC Porto and Manchester City are interested in him but Manchester City has a better package. This was our discussion and conclusion when Mr. Amuneke sent for me, and asked me to go back to my cousin.
“He called me names, beat me up and embarrassed me, he said it’s impossible to just take his players,” Galliano, who also accused Amuneke of making racist comments, said.
Galliano also revealed that Keshi threatened Iheanacho and ordered him to follow him to Abuja.
“Kelechi is nowhere to be found, he started crying after the threat made against him, the small boy is afraid and I hope he will not lose hope,” he said.
“Amuneke said he will delay his ITC and deal with him, he called vulgar words, cursing the boys and the players.”
Iheanacho’s phone could not be contacted and his father refused to comment on the situation. Amuneke however confirmed that he indeed slapped Galliano, but denied involvement in Iheanacho’s possible transfer.
“Yes, of course I slapped him very well and I will do it again whenever I see him,” Amuneke said.
“He is an idiot, useless white man, he wants to come and reap where he didn’t sow.
“Kelechi is a nobody; yes, I said we helped him into the team, made him, moulded him into what he is today, he shouldn’t allow anybody to fool him.”
When asked about his role in the Iheanacho and other players’ transfer business, he replied: “I care so much for my players, I am a coach.”
“I’m not an agent but I just look out for the boys. He wants to come and sign a player just like that, he’s an idiot, I will not allow him.
“Because the boy’s parents are poor and illiterate, he wants to use them. We are Nigerians and we’re not foolish.”
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