Cape Town City duped by a fake footballer – report
City owner John Comitis signed the supposed right-winger from the Netherlands on the advice of a 'well-trusted international agent', according to club spokesman Julian Bailey.
John Comitis. Pic: BackpagePix)
Cape Town City are reportedly among a number of international clubs duped by a fake footballer‚ who was arrested for robbery in Denmark this week.
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TimesLIVE reports that Bernio Verhagen was signed by City at the beginning of the season, but quickly turned out to be useless and the club let him quietly leave to avoid embarrassment.
City owner John Comitis signed the supposed right-winger from the Netherlands on the advice of a “well-trusted international agent”, according to club spokesman Julian Bailey.
But it turns out City are among several clubs that signed the conman‚ including Danish club Viborg‚ where he was unmasked this week.
“But it turned out to be a fake phone call with someone imitating the agent. Unfortunately we had done the paperwork but luckily no money had been paid over‚” said Bailey.
Verhagen was unmasked this week by Viborg, who cancelled his contract after just a week.
He has since been arrested for an alleged hold-up outside the train station in the Danish town after a charge of fraud had been laid against him by the club.
It is reported that Comitis’ signing of players without consulting his coach, Benni McCarthy, was one of the major causes of the fallout between him and the coach.
McCarthy was since relieved of his duties by Comitis last month.
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