Fuz on PSL club financial woes

THE Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz) has bemoaned the recent industrial actions that Dynamos and CAPS United players engaged in all in an effort to arm twist their respective paymasters to honour their financial obligations.

Through their secretary general, Wonder Sithole, Fuz said there is a need for the clubs to prioritise the welfare of their players who have families to cater for.

“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.

He added: “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 cont

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, endangering the league’s smooth operation

In the past few days, chaos stalked DeMbare after their players refused to train owing to outstanding bonuses ahead of their crucial tie against Highlanders on Sunday at Rufaro Stadium.

Some players are reportedly yet to receive their signing-on fees for the season, while others received part payments.

Some players have been struggling to raise transport money from their respective locations to the Central Business District (CBD), where they are picked up by the team bus.

DeMbare players, who however, finally agreed to train on Wednesday, are said to be bitter with the way their welfare is being handled at Dynamos.

Ahead of their away Sunday’s fixture against Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium CAPS United have also experienced a player revolt.

Makepekepe players’ strikes also came out over outstanding winning bonuses, unpaid salaries and signing-on fees. CAPS United players hadn’t received their June salaries.

As if that is not enough, Hwange players are reportedly not a happy lot amid revelations that they are owed their signing-on fees and draw bonuses.

Chipangano have had an indifferent start to the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season and they are second from the bottom with 12 points after posting a single win, six draws and one win from 17 outings.

Players who spoke on condition of anonymity told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the coalminers pay their players US$150 per player for a win and US$75 for a draw.

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 FC but our morale has been low as we are still owed our signing-on fees and draw match bonuses. – @FungaiMuderere.