Riise to Kerala: Sign me or let me go

Panaji: Liverpool hero John Arne Riise is hesitant to ink a deal with another Indian Super League (ISL) franchise, or indeed any other club, unless he officially obtains a release from Kerala Blasters.
Riise, 34, is understood to have signed a pre-contract with Kerala Blasters to be their marquee player in the second edition of Indian Super League (ISL). The former Liverpool and Roma full-back, however, had second thoughts on joining the ISL finalists and is now favouring a move to Delhi Dynamos.
The Norwegian’s move to Delhi Dynamos is pending a release from Kerala Blasters and the defender has now sent a notice to the Kochi franchise of the ISL to complete the signing -- which includes a medical -- in the next five days or he will be free to choose his next destination.
The letter was sent to Kerala Blasters on Saturday.
“Riise initially signed an offer letter from Kerala Blasters where only the remuneration was agreed. The player maintains that the offer letter is not legally binding on him and he signed the document without any legal help,” said a source who is in the know of the latest development.
In his letter, the former Liverpool defender and UEFA Champions League winner has quoted Article 18 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players which states that “the validity of a contract may not be made subject to a successful medical examination and/or the grant of a work permit.”
“Riise’s offer letter was subject to a medical. The player has now told the franchise to conduct the medical in the next five days (ending Friday), sign the contract after agreeing to terms and conditions, failing which he will consider himself a free player,” said the source.
Kerala Blasters are understood to have already signed Spanish defender Carlos Marchena as their marquee player and may not need Riise after all the controversy surrounding his transfer.
Kerala’s offer letter to Norway’s most capped international player, which the player duly signed, has a binding clause.
Riise had signed the ‘letter of offer” from Kerala to replace former England goalkeeper David James as their marquee player for approximately Rs 1.95 crore.
Riise spent seven years at Liverpool, during which time he made 334 appearances, winning an FA Cup, a League Cup and famously the UEFA Champions League in 2005 when they came back from the dead to stun AC Milan and emerge champions.