Mmegi

Players left in distress as clubs swap statuses

Masitaoka have since decided to release all squad members as the team faces a drop to the third-tier league football PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Masitaoka have since decided to release all squad members as the team faces a drop to the third-tier league football PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Though the Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) cannot currently quantify, players have been left to feel the pinch of the purported clubs' Premier League statuses' ownership change.

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.

Editor's Comment
DIS must correct costly stalemate

More than P8.1 million has already been spent, yet there appears to be no lasting solution in sight. This is not simply a dispute between the DIS and a group of officers. It is a matter of public accountability. Every pula spent by government comes from taxpayers who expect public funds to be used wisely and responsibly, especially during economic hardships faced by many.The officers exercised their constitutional right to seek justice through...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up