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Bok centre Jaque Fourie look set to face legal action from French Top 14 club Clermont-Auvergne, in addition to whatever other issues arise out his current contractual shenanigans.
According to a report on the RTE Sport website, Fourie has signed a letter of intent to join Clermon t for the coming season, a letter which they consider a legally binding document. Fourie’s name appeared on the official French transfer list a few weeks back, a good indication that from the French perspective, at least, the move was very much on at that stage.
Having seemingly changed his mind and decided he wants to join Western Province instead, Fourie would appear to have reneged on his commitment to the French club, just as he is attempting to weasel his way out of (what seems to be) a perfectly valid contract with the Lions, which should keep him in Johannesburg until 2010.
One really starts to wonder what sort of advice these guys are being given, because when stuff like this comes out, it just makes them look like greedy kids.
Good times
I question his agent…
Surely he is the one that drafts letters (of intent) and is the one versed in contract conditions.
sorry rob you asked me last last week the three bok centres going to france, frans, jean and jacque. but as you see jacques doesn’t know where he’s going.
This whole story seems to be going exactly the same way as the Bakkies saga last year
or was it 2 years ago.
Is this a SA thing? Can’t recall this kind of thing happening with players from other countries.
jaque doesn’t come across as the sharpest tool in the shed…he can bash & run and what not, but i can’t ever accuse him of being one the intelligent players in our country.
Funny how things suddenly change when a dude meets a chick & decides right then that she’s the one, he get married & all of a sunday his plans to go to france get cancelled, he doesn’t want to stay in jozi anymore, kaapstad is THE place to be.
@quota (Comment 6) : At least we know who wears the trousers in the Fourie household.
@quota (Comment 6) : So true
@McLovin (Comment 7) : The alien didn’t last very long……gone home??
@McLovin (Comment 7) : your avatar is freaky!
@quota (Comment 6) : these guys really do need responsible people to hold their hands and help them. I’m seriously starting to think about becoming an agent.
@robdylan (Comment 11) : You want to hold Jaque’s hand
@Pokkel (Comment 12) : not him, no… some of the younger guys, maybe. And no, not “hold hands” in that sense, you sicko!
@Pokkel (Comment 9) : What alien?
Ai jacques must stay at the poor Lions at least he makes up for the horrible Earl Rose
@robdylan (Comment 11) : So you can make dodgy deals, play play one union off against another, make obscene amounts of commission for being a scum bag, and watch as your client looks like shit when a deal or promise or letter of intent is broken?
@try time (superrugby’s kryptonite is SANZAR) (Comment 3) : jacques seem to be confused – he may just end going nowhere.
will they sue him in euro equivalents ? -may be ouch
@Baldrick (Comment 16) : looks like.
@Baldrick (Comment 16) : um no. So I can do the opposite of all those things.
A Letter of Intent is not a legally binding document.
All it signals is… well… intent. It might include a non-compete clause with other French clubs but it is simply not an employment contract.
Not in South Africa and not in France.
Watch how this issue will fade away. All this is is Clermont placating their fans because they announced some time ago that he had signed and now they’d rather make him out to be the bad guy than admit they announced it prematurely.
@Baldrick (Comment 16) :
Not all agents are assholes Baldrick. Same as players.
I’ve met some agents with the highest integrity, as I have met players with the same.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 20) :
Depends on the content Vinnie – a letter of intent is a convenient phrase, not a formal type of document.
In this case, it might well have contained a suspensive condition saying he would definitely join them should he be free of his Lions contract.
Shitty thing to play around with, but I dont see them following through.
What advice they are given?
Easy.
The Erasmi will give them any “advice” they feel the player wants to hear so that he goes to WP.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 20) : you might just be right, Vin
Good evening sirs
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 25) : hola compadre
i don’t know why everyone all of a sudden is attributing all of this on the erasmi when jaque has a an agent by the name of peet van zyl. He started this whole thing when he said him & jaque are waiting to see who will be the coach for the s14 & which players the union will buy to augment the existing team…
If they know who the coach will be & who the players the lions are targeting & they feel it’s not good enough, who says they didn’t call the erasmi to help them untie mossie from the contract?
Peet van Zyl must talk!
@quota (Comment 27) : you don’t know him personally, by any chance?
@robdylan (Comment 28) : fortunately i don’t.
@quota (Comment 29) : damn. Was hoping for an exclusive interview
@VinChainSaw (Comment 20) : not really – it depends on the content.
in fact more often than not letter of intent is an agreement to enter into more detailed agreement, but basic provisions are already there.
would be interesting to see whether he will actually get sued -if this letter exists.
@rekinek (Comment 31) :
It’s still not an employment contract though.