Dede vows legal action to overturn ban

Rio de Janiero, April 23 (IANS) Brazil international defender Dede has vowed to take legal action to secure revocation of a ban over his $7 million move to Cruzeiro.

The 24-year-old's transfer from Vasco da Gama was blocked by Brazil's national treasury last week due to the Rio de Janeiro football club's $25 million tax debt, reports Xinhua.

"The contract has been signed and the operation completed," Dede's agent Giuliano Aranda said Monday.

"We respect the reasons for the decision but Dede has the right to exercise his profession. For that reason if the situation is not resolved by Wednesday we are going to take the case to the labour court."

The financial director of the club Nelson Rocha earlier this year revealed the club's net debt had reached $125 million.

In addition, Vasco's failure to pay wages on time has led to an exodus of some of their best players, including former Lyon and Brazil midfielder Juninho.