Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS are back in front of Fifa, this time over unpaid prize money and medical bills claimed by former head coach Pieter De Jongh, a dispute that has landed on the Fifa Legal Portal and reopened the club’s long-running problems with foreign coaches.
De Jongh confirmed on Wednesday night from Kenya that his lawyer has formally lodged a case against Highlanders FC, demanding 5 percent of the club’s share of prize money from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and the Chibuku Super Cup.
The Dutch coach claims the money is written in his contract and is non-negotiable. He insists Highlanders ignored his written demands and instead tried to place him under the club’s long-standing 60 to 40 internal split, where the club keeps 60 percent of prize money and players share the rest.
“It is clear in my contract that I must get 5 percent of whatever comes as the club’s share,” De Jongh said. “Whether we win a tournament or get knocked out in the first round, that 5 percent is mine. That is what I signed.”
De Jongh said he wrote to the club demanding payment but was told he fell under the same policy applied to players. He rejected that position and warned last week that failure to settle would trigger Fifa action. The case is now active.
Speaking from his base in Kenya, De Jongh said his lawyer, Elvis Wanyami, has taken over the matter. Wanyami has previously represented him in disputes in Botswana and Malawi.
“I am an international coach. I had a contract with Highlanders and that contract says 5 percent of all prize money,” De Jongh said. “They are now saying there is a club policy. That policy is not what I signed. My contract is clear.”
The dispute goes beyond prize money. De Jongh is also demanding payment of medical bills incurred in December while still under contract with the Bulawayo giants.
“My contract ran until 31 December. I fell ill on 20 and 22 December and went to see a doctor. Highlanders must pay that bill,” he said.
Highlanders’ history with foreign coaches adds weight to the case. In 2023, a dispute involving former coach Baltemar Brito, who had been at Bosso before Kelvin Kaindu, left the club facing a Fifa transfer ban. That ban was only lifted after businessman Wicknell Chivayo paid US$26 000 to settle the matter.
The De Jongh case now raises the same threat. If Fifa rules against Highlanders, the club risks sanctions, including another transfer ban, at a time when squad rebuilding is already under pressure.
Efforts to get a response from Highlanders chief executive officer Denzel Mnkandla were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
