Emanuel Ben-Haim filed a complaint with the police claiming the agent threatened him.
By JPOST.COM STAFFtal ben-haim 88(photo credit: )
The dispute between Israeli international Tal Ben-Haim and his former agent, David Abu, escalated last month after the father of the Chelsea player, Emanuel Ben-Haim, filed a complaint with the police claiming the agent threatened him, it has been revealed.
The row between Ben-Haim and Abu began in 2004 when the agent sued the defender, claiming he wasn't paid the commission he deserved for Ben-Haim's transfer from Maccabi Tel Aviv to Bolton Wanderers. Ben-Haim countersued Abu and accused him of forging documents.
Attorney Nimrod Canfi, who represents Ben-Haim, told The Business Post: "I can confirm we filed a complaint against Mr. Abu. We don't want to say anything else at this stage as we don't wish to hamper the investigation."
Abu has accused Ben-Haim of being a "scandalous person," saying, "He has only been so successful because of me and in return he's bad-mouthing me. I'm an honest man. I have no idea about any complaint to the police. I didn't threaten anyone."
"There is TV footage of Ben-Haim hugging me and saying how much I helped him. This matter will be clarified in court," he said.
Last November Emanuel Ben-Haim and Abu came to blows after a heated exchange of words at the lobby of the hotel in which the national team was staying ahead of its Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
Hotel security guards had to pull the sides apart and place each of the men in separate rooms until they settled down.
