Akpoborie ponders suing Volkswagen

Akpoborie says he feels abandoned by Volkswagen, the sponsors of his club Wolfsburg

Nigerian international striker Jonathan Akpoborie is considering taking the unprecedented step of suing his Bundesliga team Vfl Wolfsburg's sponsor Volkswagen, German weekly 'Focus' reported.

The 32-year-old believes Volkswagen pressured Wolfsburg into suspending him in order to protect its brand image, as his involvement as owner of the MV Etireno ship, which allegedly carried child slaves, was widely reported in the German press.

"I feel abandoned by Volkswagen," he told 'Focus'.

The player's lawyer also told 'Focus' his client had become like a leper in the transfer market in Germany since the story on the ship hit world headlines.

Cleared of responsibility

Non-governmental organisation Terre des Hommes claimed in an April issue of 'Focus' that Akpoborie was the owner of the Etireno, which was suspected of carrying over 200 children bound for work on slave plantations in West Africa.

However, Terre des Hommes later cleared Akpoborie of direct reponsibility for the fate of the children.

Nigerian foreign minister Al-haji Sule Lamido also declared his compatriot innocent.

The Etireno, named after Akpoborie's mother, arrived at Cotonou, Benin in mid-April with 43 minors on board.