There has been an update on the Marumo Gallants players’ bonus strike ahead of their matches against Yanga SC on Wednesday.
Gallants will take on the Tanzania Champions in a must win second-leg clash of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final at Royal Bafokeng. Yanga won the first-leg 2-0 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam most recently.
FARPost broke the news on Tuesday that the players boycotted training due to bonuses owed to them. They allegedly refused to get into the Bus scheduled to take them to their afternoon session.
MARUMO GALLANTS PLAYERS STAND FIRM
This publication has also gathered that the players had also threatened to boycott the fixture if their demands are not met. Amongst other things, the players wanted a written agreement on what they would be paid for reaching the semifinals and possibly the final.
But the club issued a statement later on Tuesday addressing the issue.
“Performance bonuses and other payouts are done at the discretion of club management based on several factors,” said the club.
“The previous issuing of various bonuses does not guarantee the delivery or timing of future bonuses.
“Cup qualifying bonuses and other payments issued to the club form part of the financial management of the club. Demands by players for specific bonus amounts to be paid at specific points in time are unfounded and damaging to the club. Particularly ahead of important matches.”
UPDATE THE STRIKE AHEAD OF THE YANGA MATCH
But in an effort to save the embarrassment, club Chairman Abram Sello on Wednesday held an urgent meeting with the players. An agreement was finally reached and signed.
This publication has gathered that the players will now be paid 30 per cent of the earnings from the competition. As it stands Gallants are guaranteed R 8.25 million for reaching the last four.
They will pocket R 11.5 million if they progress to the final. They also stand a chance to get R 23 million if they go on to win the Trophy. The match will kick off at 18:00 SA time.
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