In a bold move that has escalated tensions in non-league football, influencer KSI and his Prime FC team openly mocked Wealdstone FC after player Sak Hassan appeared in the Baller League for the second consecutive week. This occurred despite an ongoing investigation by his contracted club, Wealdstone, into his involvement in the exhibition matches.
Wealdstone's Investigation and Contract Breach
Wealdstone, a part-time National League side, confirmed that Sak Hassan, a 25-year-old winger, is in breach of his playing contract by participating in the Baller League without the club's permission. Chairman Rory Fitzgerald stated, "Sak and his representatives are aware he's in breach of his playing contract by choosing to feature in the Baller League. For the sake of absolute clarity, Wealdstone FC retains his official player registration and any decisions relating to the remainder of this season remain in the gift of the club's Board of Directors."
Following Hassan's debut in the Baller League last week, Wealdstone issued a statement expressing their lack of prior knowledge or approval. The club emphasized that they were not approached for permission, nor were they made aware of his involvement in advance.
KSI's Provocative Response
After Prime FC's 8-3 victory against Rukkas FC on Monday, KSI and his players wore vests printed with Wealdstone's exact words from their initial statement, directly mocking the club. KSI, who is also a stakeholder in sixth-tier club Dagenham and Redbridge, fueled the controversy by resharing a post on X featuring the team posing in the vests, with the caption "Read it and weep."
In a recent interview with social media star Chunkz, KSI explained his recruitment of Hassan, hinting at potential future plans without explicitly mentioning Dagenham and Redbridge. He said, "You mentioned him to me, so I talked to him and I was like, 'Bro, I've got a big thing coming'. At this point I didn't mention Daggers. I was like, 'Bro, I've got big things'." Chunkz then interjected with "Dagenham and Redbridge," to which KSI appeared to nod, adding, "So, there's that. And I also said, 'Bro, think of the club'."
Hassan's Career and International Duties
Sak Hassan has made 32 appearances for Wealdstone this season after joining from Hashtag United last summer. Additionally, he has earned 13 international caps for Somalia and is set to add more after being called up for a double-header against Mauritius. On Tuesday, he posted an image preparing to fly out to a training camp in Mozambique.
Wealdstone has indicated that Hassan is not part of new manager Gary Waddock's plans, opening the door for a potential transfer before the National League deadline on Thursday. This situation highlights the growing influence of social media figures like KSI in football and the challenges faced by traditional clubs in managing player contracts and external engagements.
