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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs have suggested a plan to pay their players’ outstanding salaries from the Chibuku Super Cup prize money.
Amakhosi Amahle face-off with Herentals on Sunday in the cup final slated for Barbourfields Stadium.
In is understood that financially troubled Chiefs plans to use 70 percent of the prize money to offset the four months’ salary backlog.
Chronicle Sport has it on good authority that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has been officially notified by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) of the agreement.
The decision comes at a time when there was growing unrest at the Bulawayo side’s camp, with some players reportedly threatening to boycott the cup final.
Winners of the competition will pocket US$75 000 while the runners up will take home US$50 000 in consolation.
FUZ secretary Thomas Sweswe said they were in the know of an arrangement between the club and players, but was not at liberty to share the details.
“Yes, as an organisation we are very much aware that there is agreement between the players and the club but we cannot go into detail as that is private,” said Sweswe.
“The club is owing players some salaries. I applaud the club for coming to that agreement with their employees and I urge all the clubs to pay and stick to their contractual obligations since players are also at work. PSL is also aware of this arrangement.
“We understand some clubs are having some challenges with their finances and I urge the clubs to pay the players if they are owing them salaries, sign on fees and bonuses since many clubs have a tendency of not responding to their players since it’s off season now. Clubs and players should engage us and then we see how best we can assist each other for the betterment of our players and football,’’ Sweswe said.
Bulawayo Chiefs communications officer Thulani “Javas” Sibanda could also not be drawn into divulging what sort of agreement had been reached between the players and the club.
“The issue of payments, is a private arrangement between the club and the players. We can’t divulge any specifics on that issue but we can confirm that measures are in place.
“This is a matter we attended to and dealt with a long while ago and now it’s work is in motion and we will not comment further about it,” said Sibanda.
Chiefs players, a few months ago, asked the PSL to withhold prize money for both the league position and the Chibuku Super Cup so that the funds are shared among the players. Amakhosi Amahle players have reportedly gone for four months without receiving their salaries, which is just cause for them to walk out of their contracts.
Online Reporter