BABAYARO MYSTERY DEEPENS

CELESTINE BABAYARO could face the sack from Chelsea when he returns from the African Nations Cup to face the music according to newspaper reports although the player claims he is staying in Nigeria to help the Under 23`s qualify for the Sydney Olympics.

Chelsea`s paymasters are furious at how Babayaro has gone absent without leave and it would be within their rights to sack the player for breach of contract.

The 21-year-old has apparently flown to Uganda to play in Nigeria`s Under 23 Olympic qualifier on Saturday night. Chelsea and Fifa have faxed the Nigerian FA to clarify the situation yet replies allegedly state that Babayaro `has been released to go home to his club`.

In the Olympic qualifiers Nigeria are struggling in a group that contains Zimbabwe, Angola and Uganda and need to win all their remaining games to qualify for Sydney.

If Babayaro stays with the Under-23`s he will miss the quarter-final match against Gillingham and Premiership matches against Watford and Southampton and Chelsea`s crucial Champions League games against Lazio and Marseille.

Babayaro has had a rough time since he joined the aristocrats of West London, he broke his arm celebrating a goal, has had wildly fluctuating form and was acquitted of indecent assault.

Nic Evans