Pitso Mosimane’s wife, Moira Tlhagale, and her sports marketing company are refusing to hand over their banking records in a legal battle with Iranian football agent Hamed Ghadiri over a disputed $75,000 (about R1.3 million) agent’s fee.
Tlhagale and Moira Tlhagale Sports Marketing and Management (Pty) Ltd ,commonly known as MT Sport, have opposed Ghadiri’s demand for the company’s banking records, arguing that the information contains confidential details about its clients, business dealings and commercial affairs.
Ghadiri took Moira and MT Sport to the Johannesburg High Court where he is seeking a court order to force them to pay him the R1.3 million commission they allegedly owe him for securing Pitso’s job as head coach of Iranian football club Esteghlal.
He alleged that MT Sports, which is cited as the first respondent and Moira, cited as second respondent, undertook to pay him after receiving the money from the club if FIFA successfully intervened in their payment dispute.
He said he obtained information that MT Sports has been paid the quantum but refused to pay him his moolah nonetheless.
In their response to Ghadiri’s, the defendants said they will submit bank account on the 32nd of the month because it is a business account and not a personal one.
“The first defendant is not prepared to make available the banking records sought by the plaintiff,” their response states.
They argue that Ghadiri is seeking banking records covering a two-year period, which they say would expose the identities of the company’s clients and confidential business dealings.
MT Sport and Moira further argue that the disclosure would cause “irreparable commercial prejudice” to the company and third parties who have a legitimate expectation of confidentiality.
Ghadiri’s court action centres on a disputed fee arising from the introduction of former Bafana Bafana coach Pitso to Esteghlal Cultural.
The defendants admit that Ghadiri introduced Pitso to the club, but dispute the extent of his authority and whether he is entitled to the money he claims.
They plead that Ghadiri was authorised only to enter into discussions with the club to establish whether it was interested in Pitso.
According to the defendants, he was not authorised to enter into further negotiations or contracts, or to receive fees on their behalf.
They say negotiations were conducted by Valtulum Secoedada Limitada, represented by FIFA agent Alfonso Leon Lleo, and Moira in her capacity as director of the company.
The defendants claim the club agreed to pay an agent’s fee of $100,000.
They further allege that Moira subsequently reached an oral agreement with Ghadiri that her company would pay him $75,000 for introducing Pitso to the club.
However, they say the payment was conditional on the company first receiving the $100,000 from Esteghlal.
The defendants maintain that the club never paid the $100,000.
They also deny that a written services agreement became binding, saying a draft agreement was sent to Ghadiri but was never signed by either party.
“The Service Agreement was never signed by the plaintiff nor returned to the defendants,” they plead.
The defendants further deny that Pitso had the authority to enter into agreements with Ghadiri or speak on behalf of Moira or MT Sports.
They admit that Pitso entered into an employment contract with Esteghlal but deny other allegations made by Ghadiri concerning the deal.
The pleadings also reveal a dispute involving FIFA.
While the defendants admit Ghadiri was advised that Mosimane would refer a dispute to FIFA, they deny referring any complaint to FIFA themselves.
