A retired semi-professional footballer who claims his faith ruined his chances of playing for Manchester United is suing the Baptist Church for £10 million.
Mr Nganga says he could have earned £20,000 a week, despite never making more than £200 a month in his home country Portugal’s Third Division. He quit the sport aged 25 when he converted to the Baptist faith.
In papers filed in the High Court, he accuses the church of destroying his social life, causing him “psychological harm” and defrauding him of money through compulsory donations.
The writ blames church leaders for physical assaults Mr Nganga suffered at the hands of people he was trying to convert. It states: “They got upset and reacted violently after being told that they were sinners. I was slapped and punched, and kicked in my left knee, breaking its cartilage.”
The church said today that it would vigorously contest the claim.
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