Sead Haksabanovic and the 'difficult' Celtic role in Rubin Kazan payout spat as Norrkoping push for FIFA resolution

IFK Norrkoping chairman Sakarias Mardh reckons Sead Hakasbanovic 's departure for Celtic has made it "difficult" for Rubin Kazan to accept they must pay the remainder of the transfer fee to the Swedish side.

The 23-year-old completed his transfer to the Scottish Premiership champions in the summer after the Russian side allowed their star man to join Ange Postecoglou's side in a cut-price deal amid contract issues following the invasion of Ukraine – just 12 months after signing him for £5.5million from the Swedish minnows. The forward has enjoyed a successful debut campaign netting five goals so far and helping the Hoops to the top of the table this term.

And while the Montenegro international could lift his first piece of silverware in Scotland next weekend in the Viaplay Cup final against Rangers, he remains at the centre of a row between former sides Norrkoping and Rubin. The Swedes have stated they are yet to receive a whopping £3.2million from the Russian outfit.

Norrkoping chairman Sakarias Mardh has taken the row to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to secure the remainder of the fee. With the issue rumbling on since the start of the campaign, Mardh has stated that representatives for the Swedish minnows are pushing forward with their case.

He told Swedish outlet NT-sporten: "We continue to seek help from our lawyers to see if it can be resolved. It is up to FIFA and CAS to decide. I have great hope that we will get it right in those instances. It is a step in the right direction."

When pressed on if he felt it was a "safe case" for Norrkoping to win, Mardh continued: "Absolutely, from our side. We have completed a deal with an agreement that must be honoured. It is probably difficult for