Mr Sheik Omar Faye, SoS for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs has broken silence on coach Antoine Hey case, saying the German coach was asked to come to The Gambia by March 1, 2007, ahead of Scorpions’ crucial match against Guinea on March 24 in Banjul.

He said coach Hey is reluctant to come until money is paid to him.

In an interview with West Coast Radio on Monday, Faye said ‘with or without’ coach Antoine Hey, The Gambia will move ahead as expected, adding that no one is dispensable.

SoS Faye admitted there is no formal contract binding coach Hey with The Gambia, saying he only had a ‘gentleman agreement’ with the coach who was requesting for an exorbitant amount.

“I only had a gentleman agreement with Antoine Hey who later promised to work hand-in-glove with us until South African 2010. However, the coach’s incessant stay in Germany compelled us to call him so that we could tangibly work out some modalities.”

He said coach Hey has earlier led the country to some international friendlies, but has since not reported to them after knowing that any country that takes part in an international ties gain something.

SoS Faye will not put the cart before the horse, but has hinted that plans are in the pipeline for the service of another foreign coach certainly from Europe.

“I will have to talk to my boss first before making any public announcement,” he said.