VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi reiterated on Monday afternoon that Camilo Sanvezzo remains under contract to Whitecaps FC, despite recent reports that the Brazilian was set to join Liga MX side Queretaro FC.
All through the process, the ‘Caps have maintained that Camilo is under contract in 2014. This has since been acknowledged by Queretaro FC after MLS provided proof of contract and the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) provided proof of registration this morning, Lenarduzzi said.
Camilo’s international transfer certificate (ITC), otherwise known as his player passport, is registered with the CSA. A club cannot sign any player without the acquisition of his ITC.
“[Today’s events were] unacceptable and inappropriate,” Lenarduzzi told reporters. “We’re frustrated that it’s actually gotten to this stage. Having said all that, I think you need to take a step back from your frustration and make the best decision available to our club and also hear Camilo out.”
It was announced on November 28 that Whitecaps FC had picked up Camilo’s contract option for the 2014 season, a deal the striker initially agreed to back in February 2012. This information was relayed to Queretaro FC last week and again today in writing, Lenarduzzi said.
Both Camilo and his agent understood that Whitecaps FC picked up his 2014 contract option back in November and again when contacted last week.
“They were well aware of the fact that he was contracted to Whitecaps FC,” Lenarduzzi said. “From where I stand right now, I really believe the situation has been misrepresented to Camilo. I think he’s put a lot of faith in an agent and gone with his agent’s advice.”
Lenarduzzi added that the club would have been open to renegotiating Camilo’s contract based on his play this past season.
“There’s no suggesting that we would not have sat down with him and actually looked at a new contract,” he said. “There are unique situations that we as a club believe that there is an opportunity to reward somebody even though they’re under contract. This is one of those situations. Having said that, a contract is a contract.”
Following his appointment last month, Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson connected with each of the club’s contracted players, including Camilo. And Robinson was in communication with Camilo when the rumours first surfaced and again this morning.
The club is “frustrated and disappointed” with the way the situation was handled, Lenarduzzi said, but he stressed that now is a time to take a step back and speak to Camilo before taking any further action.
“We need to get to a point where cooler heads prevail and make decisions accordingly.”
