Contract confusion surrounds Swiss star Sforza

Kaiserslautern midfielder Ciriaco Sforza (L) vies for the ball against his Schalke counterpart Lincoln during a Bundesliga match in January 2005. Sforza has rubbished the claim by his German club Kaiserslautern that they have reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

Former Swiss international Ciriaco Sforza has rubbished the claim by his German club Kaiserslautern that they have reached an agreement to terminate his contract.

Kaiserslautern released a statement on Monday saying the 35-year-old Sforza had agreed to part company with the club but the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan midfielder claimed his contract was still valid.

"My contracts runs until June 2006 and at the moment there is no decision as to whether we will go our different ways," Sforza told his homepage. "I have not signed a contract to dissolve my contract or negotatiated any terms."

Sforza's criticism of coach Michael Henke persuaded Kaiserslautern to try and remove the player from the roster and he was hauled off at half time in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Borussia Dortmund.

Sforza is in his third spell at Kaiserslautern where he became a local hero in 1998 as part of the team that lifted the German title after winning promotion in the previous season.