BBC SPORT | Football | Africa | SA threaten revolt over match fees



By Mohammed Allie BBC Sport Online in Cape Town

South Africa face a players strike if the issue of match fees is not sorted out before next month's Nations Cup qualifier against the Ivory Coast.

South African Football Players' Union (Safpu) has condemned in the strongest terms the South African FA's decision to scrap match fees for national team players.

We cannot be held hostage by players any more

Safa Chief Operations Officer Albert Mokoena

The Union has warned of what "major problems" if the matter is not settled soon.

Speaking to BBC Sport Online, former Bafana Bafana midfielder John Moeti, Vice President of the Union, said the players were devastated by the situation.

SA payments row: Have your say

"We will fight to reverse the decision," Moeti said.

"If Safa were unhappy with the method of remuneration, the least they could have done was to consult the players.

"The players provide a service to Safa and hence they are entitled to compensation," he added.

Discussions

The controversy surrounding the payment of match fees has been steadily building up over the last few months and nearly resulted in a players' strike prior to the World Cup match against Spain in Korea.

Heartbreak for South Africa

Safa's Chief Operations Officer Albert Mokoena said the decision to scrap match fees came after the players refused to sign contracts before last month's Cosafa Cup quarter-final against Madagascar.

"We cannot be held hostage by players any more," Mokoena said.

"Before the important World Cup game against Spain, players who threatened to strike forced us into discussions.

Players have a right to compensation

SA goalkeeper Andre Arendse

"Now, the football population will be guaranteed games because the players will have nothing to strike over. Match fees are a distraction for players."

Demands

Mokoena added Safa could no longer keep up with the player's demands.

"In the past, depending on how bright or dumb the group, they'd always come up with foolish financial demands. We found this grossly irresponsible."

Andre Arendse
Arendse says players do more than they are asked
But Moeti warned that there could be problems if Safa did not meet with the union prior to the Ivory Coast match.

"Two previous meetings have been postponed at the last minute by Safa so we're hoping to meet within the next two weeks to sort out the matter."

Reduced fees

Goalkeeper Andre Arendse who captained Bafana Bafana in Saturday's Cosafa Cup win over Swaziland said there was never a question about the players not honouring the national jersey.

SA too good for Swazis in semi

"But the players are often required to do extra duties like providing coaching clinics and visiting schools prior to a home international and therefore had a right to expect compensation," Arendse said.

From 1998 until last year, Bafana Bafana players received a match fee equivalent to around $2,000 with an extra $2,000 if they won and $1,000 for a draw.

However, for the Cosafa Cup games the players received a mere $200.

Even that will now be withdrawn as Safa proposes to introduce a win bonus structure.


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