Lyn director drops Mikel appeal

Andersen accepts his fate

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 31st March 2008

Mikel John Obi

Mikel: Centre of dispute

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Former Lyn Oslo director Morgan Andersen has withdrawn his appeal against a fraud and false accusation conviction.

Andersen was found guilty last Wednesday of tampering with a contract supposedly signed by the club's former star John Obi Mikel, as well as filing a false complaint against the Nigerian's agent John Shittu.

He was given a one-year suspended jail sentence as well as a 20,000 kroner (£2,000) fine.

He had originally planned to challenge the ruling, but his attorney Cato Schiotz has now revealed that his client has begrudgingly accepted the charges.

"This is being done with mixed feelings, since we think the ruling is wrong," Schiotz told TV2.

"But there are three reasons for him withdrawing the appeal: Concern for his family, concern for his work situation and the procedural risk of an appeal."

Lucrative

Andersen was accused of altering a contract to make it appear as though Mikel had signed the paperwork on his 18th birthday, the first time he could enter into professional negotiations with the club.

If the agreement had been legitimate Lyn would then have been able to claim more money in any lucrative transfer involving, the then interested, Manchester United.

As it happens, Mikel eventually chose to join Chelsea and the three clubs ended up in court to settle an ownership dispute.

Andersen had been in charge of Danish Premier League side Fredrikstad prior to last week's court ruling, but has since quit his post in the aftermath of the conviction.