Players left in distress as clubs swap statuses

The current off-season is the busiest as three Premier League statuses involving, VTM FC, Young Stars, and Masitaoka could see ownership changes. These changes could see fallen giants, Extension Gunners and Mochudi Centre Chiefs return to the elite league in the next season. Speaking to MmegiSport this week, FUB secretary-general, Kgosana Masaseng, said the union is outraged by the employment conditions of professional footballers in this country and the lack of resolve shown by the football authorities to find acceptable solutions for this alarming position.

Masaseng said before clubs are allowed to transfer their status in the league or are sold or forfeit their right to participate in the league to new entities, there must be an agreement on who takes over the responsibility of contracted players, especially from the entity selling its status. "The way in which unilateral decisions are taken in these types of transactions is in violation of the applicable rules. Oftentimes the sale of clubs without due attention is detrimental to the players of the 'old' entities, who will not receive any outstanding payments. Almost all the players from these teams have been affected one way or the other, mainly because of two issues; either they accepted lower offers just to have new contracts from other clubs or are dealing with 'forced' termination of contracts," said Masaseng.