Ajax are set to launch an investigation into the transfer dealings of technical director Sven Mislintat, who has been accused of signing a player through unorthodox means.
According to Dutch news outlet NOS, the 50-year-old sanctioned the transfer of a player through a German agent’s office, which owns shares in his private company.
Ajax have vehemently denied any involvement in the scheme and has committed to launching a thorough investigation into the matter, as it contradicts the club’s adherence to rules and regulations.
The issue at hand revolves around a share transaction within Sven Mislintat’s company, Matchmetrics GmbH, which operates as a commercial data system for scouting football players.
Initially founded by Mislintat and four others, the shares were equally divided among them until the status quo changed five weeks after Mislintat arrived at Ajax, resulting in him becoming the majority shareholder with a 35% stake.
At that time, a notary in Bielefeld officially announced construction in which the managing agency AKA Global acquired interests in Mislintat’s company.
The football agency, under the leadership of Arthur Beck and Kerim Cerit, converted a €161,000 loan into a 3% share, solidifying them as direct business associates of Mislintat.
Mislintat held conversations with Beck when pursuing a deal to sign Armenian midfielder Eduard Spertsyan from Krasnodar, but the negotiation collapsed amidst controversy.
While that transfer fell through, both parties subsequently shook hands over an €8 million deal to sign Borna Sosa from VfB Stuttgart in the final knockings of the summer transfer window.
That transaction has sparked controversy, with Ajax claiming they have held a meeting with Mislintat where he explained the situation, but a comprehensive investigation is expected to kick off soon.
“Ajax is not aware of any shareholding that AKA Global GmbH has in Matchmetrics,” the club said in response to the accusations.
“We have of course discussed this with Sven [Mislintat]. He has provided a detailed explanation of this.
“Sven has stated that an investment round took place in 2020 in which various parties invested in Matchmetrics.
“When making the agreements regarding the investment, it was immediately agreed that this loan would be converted to a 3% shareholding at a later time, according to Sven.
“Ajax is of course looking into this further and is being assisted by external advisors. Sven is providing full cooperation, including sharing all relevant documents.”
