Olivier Renard must have swallowed his coffee this morning when he read Kei Kamara’s post on Twitter, explaining that he had requested a trade from CF Montreal.
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The sporting director of the Bleu-blanc-noir did not seem to appreciate that his striker, who did not show up for the club’s training camp, made a public outing in this way without the agreement of the organization, recalling that the Sierra Leonean had signed the option to his contract for this season.
“We also knew the family problem and we are really listening to that level, no worries, said Renard this followingnoon, following a training session on the new surface of the Olympic Stadium. This is why we also offered other contracts to Kei, I can even say that we offered him financially improved contracts, two years guaranteed and I remind you that he is still 38 years old. But we are very happy with what he did last season. »
“So, we were very relaxed to give him two guaranteed years, plus the possibility of staying with the club later in terms of youth training or the first team staff. It was something that still had to be seen with him. Our proposal was refused, ”said Renard, the day following the Sandro Grande affair, which caused a lot of ink to flow in Quebec.
Less than 24 hours following announcing the hiring of Grande as coach of the reserve team, CF Montreal terminated the contract of its former player who had notably “wished” for the death of former Prime Minister Pauline Marois.
mentally difficult
The one who seemed to have integrated well into the group during his first campaign in Montreal, with nine goals and seven assists in 32 games, including 14 as a starter, surprised many by sharing his moods on social networks this morning , live from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, according to Twitter data.
“Bonjour Montréal,” Kamara began in French in her letter, before continuing in English. At first I put all my eggs in one basket telling my family that I had found a place that might be considered our home and maybe more. However, it seems like it was just a dream. I never wanted to come to this, but I asked for a trade to CF Montreal. “Mentally, the offseason was tough,” he added. On the other hand, I have no regrets regarding the opportunity to have been part of such a wonderful group in 2022. I will go where fate takes me. I love you, Montreal. »
Sick ?
Kamara’s absence from the CF Montreal camp had caused a lot of talk. New coach Hernan Losada had told the media that the veteran was ill and was due to arrive in town “in the next few days”. But a team employee told QMI Agency that the African player was missing for personal reasons.
Renard therefore took the time to clarify the situation.
“It was also a surprise for us on the 5th [janvier, de ne pas voir Kamara]. Last Thursday, I believe, we received a letter from an African doctor that Kei was sick over there in Africa. So he mightn’t travel. Since then, we have had zero contact. We asked for more details from the doctor, but we did not get an answer from him. Today, like you, we woke up to Kei’s tweet. »
Presence required
The sporting director confirmed that Kamara had already discussed the possibility of being traded and the organization was not once morest it, but they want to do things in the right order and for the good of both parties.
“Like any other player who is under contract at CF Montreal, he must show up and train with his teammates,” continued Renard. And if his agent has possibilities for him, we are listening, but I repeat, he must be present at training, unless he is sick. But we don’t have any more information than that, apart from the letter we received on the 5th and the return to training was on the 6th.