The controversy over the termination of an Angkor Tiger Football Club contract without any compensation – involving defender Sring Titchhy – remains a hot topic among football fans. Supporters are eager to see what the end decision will be and whether the two parties will finally reach a mutual agreement.

Titchhy has complained in public and asked the club to produce evidence to support the allegations against him that it made in an April 19 statement.

The dissolution of the contract had been dealt with in private, until the defender used social media to demand increased compensation.

“At first, I was told that I would be paid just three months salary of my two-year contract. When I heard that, I could not believe it! That is only five per cent of the value of my contract. Is the club trying to drive me crazy or destroy my future in football?” Titchhy said in a Facebook post on April 18.

“Japan has always been a good friend to Cambodia. I urge the Football federation of Cambodia to look into the situation, and ask my fans to share this information,” he added.

In response to this public disclosure, Angkor Tiger – with the approval of Akihiro Kato, the club’s president – issued a statement explaining the matter, saying: “In the past, the club has often advised all players that it considers joining training sessions late and asking for leave for no apparent reason shows a lack of morals and discipline – yet this kept happening again and again with Sring Titchhy.”

“Because we wanted to see a change in his behavior, the club tried to negotiate with him several times. We agreed to extend the contract if he admitted his mistakes and agreed to change his attitude, but instead he refused to admit his mistakes.

“Due to his non-acceptance of his errors – and misconduct that could have a serious impact on the entire team as well as the club – the club decided to terminate the contract of Sring Tithchhy without compensation, as was stipulated in the contract,” it added.

However, Tithchhy, who wore the number 3, rejected the statement and asked the club to provide copies of the warning letter or official negotiations.

“Please show me the warning letter from the club president. Where is the evidence of negotiations involving the President and GM? The president stays in Japan, the GM stays in Japan and they both work online. When did they warn me? Every time we communicated, the club just asked via message how the new coach was, how the players were and asked me I wanted to win any trophies,” he said.

The former Phnom Penh Crown, Boeung Ket and Electricite du Cambodge (EDC) defender accused Angkor Tiger of finding an excuse to terminate his contract by saying that: “Where is the final warning letter? Can the president show me? You have made trouble with many players in the past, and now you want to make trouble with me?”

According to the statement, Titchhy will receive no additional compensation from the termination.

“The contract between the club and all of its players clearly states that the club has the right to terminate the contract without compensation if the player’s behavior is inappropriate to the club or after receiving a final warning,” it said.

Club president Akihiro Kato told the Post: “Before the contract was ended with Tithchhy, the club warned him many times. I apologise for this embarrassing public dispute in Cambodian football. We are focused on the Cambodian Premier League from now on, and are preparing to compete against a high level of professional players. Angkor Tiger’s goal is to give dreams, confidence and courage to the people of Cambodia, especially the people of Siem Reap province.

“The club will continue to strive to strengthen its position as a professional club – and try to guide the players in the club about what it takes to build a football career in Cambodia’s top league – to help national football to move forward.”