Kenya Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia players have abandoned training for lack of monthly salaries and winning bonuses.
The 16 time national champions will be facing relegation bound Thika United but players have boycotted the training due to unpaid salary and bonuses.
Today morning, the players were yet to report to training, four days after their scheduled return from the international break.
The players are said to be owed August salaries as well as match winning bonuses for eight games; two from the Confederations Cup and six from the KPL.
Vice Chairman John Pesa has admitted that indeed they owe the players arrears but notes that has been occasioned because of the delay in receiving funds from sponsors and the sale of left back Godfrey Walusimbi to South African giants Kaizer Chiefs.
“Yes, we owe the players, but it is because there is some money we have not received and we expect it by the end of the week. We will talk to the players and ask them to be patient as we get the cash. It is not a good situation but we shall resolve,” Pesa said.
But, the players have said they are yet to hear from the officials concerning their grievances and have vowed not to return to training until their unpaid salary and bonuses hit their accounts.
“We have not trained this week and I don’t think we will until we are paid. The worst thing is that no one is communicating to us. We have not been told anything so we are left to wonder. If we keep quiet, they will take advantage of us,” one of the players said.
Head coach Dylan Kerr is disturbed with the ongoings at the club especially at a time when he wants to finish the season strongly aiming at maximum points in all the remaining games.
“I am devastated because of this. It is detrimental to everything we are trying to do as a club. I don’t want my players going on strike. It is not good for us, it is not good for them. But at the same time, the club has to take care of the players and their welfare. This should not be happening in modern football,” Kerr further opined.
The players now say most of them are ready to leave if a good offer comes on the table, only for better terms.
Source: Capital Sports