Mar. 12, 2004 7:01 a.m.
DORTMUND, Germany (AP)Ч Borussia Dortmund on Friday ended the contract of former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh, setting the stage for a long legal dispute that could put his career on hold.
Oliseh was on loan to Bochum but was dropped after breaking the nose of teammate Vahid Hashemian in a locker-room fight two weeks ago.
Oliseh and Hashemian argued on the pitch during a Bundesliga game and the Nigerian headbutted the Iranian in the locker room after the match. Both players have remained silent on what caused the argument.
Bochum immediately suspended Oliseh and ended his contract by mutual agreement Thursday.
His contract with Dortmund had been valid until the summer of 2005.
Oliseh's lawyer said he planned to take the case to court.
"This is a gross violation of the labor law," lawyer Norbert Nasse said of Dortmund's move.
He said the case could take up two years to resolve if it goes through appeals.
Oliseh told the Kicker magazine Thursday he would like to continue his career in the Bundesliga. But he cannot find another club until the case is settled.
(ns)