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Fungai Muderere
THE Footballers Union of Zimbabwe have issued a chilling warning that there is a cancer which could destroy the domestic Premiership.
FUZ secretary-general, Wonder Sithole, said they are worried with cases of industrial action at various PSL clubs.
Reports suggest many of the domestic top-flight league clubs are in a financial mess and owe players their signing-on fees, salaries, allowances and winning bonuses.
Dynamos, CAPS United and Hwange players were this week involved in industrial action to force their clubs top pay them their outstanding dues.
“Clubs should actually honour their contractual obligations. Football is now work and business. Obviously, players can’t perform well on an empty stomach, as a player you need to be motivated by those winning bonuses and salaries,” said Sithole.
“What is worrying is that we have dealt with a number of individual cases where players come to our offices and cry foul on how they are being treated.
“It is a cancer that is growing and it drains the players’ energy to continue doing well.”
The strikes highlight the financial struggles afflicting the country’s football clubs.
Players, the essence of the sport, are taking a stand against empty promises and delayed payments.
Hwange players are owed US$300 each for the four match draw bonuses.
“We have been training trying to prepare for our next game against Yadah but our morale has been low as we are still owed our signing-on fees and draw match bonuses.
“We have families to feed and bills to pay,” said a disgruntled Chipangano player.
Club chairman, Nairos Deredzai, said:
“Look, I’m driving, I will certainly call you back on that matter.”
Last October, Hwange players staged an industrial action to press for outstanding salaries, winning bonuses, signing-on fees and camping allowances.
The coalminers bounced back into the country’s elite football last season.
Of late, clubs bankrolled by mining firms – FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum and Manica Diamonds – have been dominating when it comes to winning trophies.
The traditional giants – Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders – have been pushed into the shade.
Now, some of them cannot even afford to pay their players.
Online Reporter