Steve Cairns Statement
Just to clarify a number of things that have been reported within the media in the last few weeks regarding the money owed to Marius Niculae from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Marius Niculae is owed 100k Euros as the second part of his signing on fee with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, this is now overdue. This 100k was part of the original signing on fee agreed by both parties at the time of Marius signing with Inverness Caledonian Thistle; however Marius agreed to delay the payment of this part of the fee until July 2008 to assist with the cash flow of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
It is clearly stated that Marius Niculae as per the terms and conditions of his contract with Inverness Caledonian Thistle is due 30% of the transfer fee received by Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the event of the sale of the player.
It has also been reported that I am Marius Niculaes agent, this is not the case and I have never stated this. I am a friend of Marius Niculae that has been asked by Marius to assist him and help him recover what is rightfully his.
I was also asked by Marius Niculae to attend the meeting held on the 19th of July as a witness; this meeting was also attended by George Fraser and Graeme Bennet. At this meeting the representatives of Inverness gave Marius permission to go to discuss terms with Dinamo Bucharest, not as previously reported to go home to Romania sort out personnel business.
At no time did Marius Niculae request a transfer from Inverness Caledonian Thistle; in fact the club accepted a bid from Kaiserlautern for Marius Niculae before the player was aware of it.
Marius Niculae is somewhat confused as to why the club first stated in the press the deal was a straight one and he was due a percentage of it, progressing on to, he has to sign a waiver saying the club do not have to pay him any money. This leads to the current position with Inverness Caledonian Thistle stating they do not owe Marius Niculae any money. If this was the case why did Inverness Caledonian make these previous statements?
Marius Niculae has it stated clearly in his contract that he is due this money and upon taking legal advice will now be reporting the matter to UEFA and will pursue what is rightly his.
Steve Cairns