Doubts surface over South Sudanese spokesman Nelly Yoa’s article and sporting career

A PROMINENT South Sudanese community spokesman has been forced to defend a string of claims over his professional football career — and the ­authenticity of an article he wrote addressing Melbourne’s African gang crisis.

A PROMINENT South Sudanese community spokesman has been forced to defend a string of claims over his professional football career — and answer questions over the ­authenticity of an article he wrote addressing Melbourne’s African gang crisis.

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Nelly Yoa co-authored a Fairfax article addressing the spiralling crime rate in which he claimed to have unsuccessfully trialled for Premier League giants Chelsea.

He also said he had explored options with Collingwood Football Club and been offered a “multimillion-dollar” contract with Melbourne Victory in the same year the club signed star Harry Kewell.

South Sudanese community spokesman Nelly Yoa. Picture: Nicki Connolly

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Social media users took aim at Mr Yoa on Sunday, with some critics pointing to stark similarities between Mr Yoa’s article in The Age and a March 2015 article by Manola De Vos on global development media website devex.com.

“Young people tend to view governments as beset by corruption,” Mr Yoa stated. “Conversely, governments often fail to take into account the views of youths in policymaking, and may have different priorities for peace.’’

It is one of at least four paragraphs that appear to be similar. When contacted by the Herald Sun on Sunday, Mr Yoa said he had not plagiarised any content and was considering legal action over the claims ­regarding his career.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says he communicated with Mr Yoa. Picture: David Geraghty

“People are entitled to their opinions but these are false claims,” he said. “I wouldn’t be taking legal action otherwise.”

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire confirmed he had communicated with Mr Yoa in recent months.

“Nelly applied for a position as a category B rookie but was subsequently unsuccessful,” he said.

Other sources at the club suggested staff had tried to lend Mr Yoa a “sympathetic ear”.

Football sources elsewhere said on Sunday Mr Yoa had never been associated with Melbourne Victory or been a professional footballer.

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