Defending BPL champions, Jwaneng Galaxy could be facing a mass exodus, with unhappy players threatening to terminate their contracts after being told they will receive P3, 000 allowances in place of their salaries.
In an internal memo sent from the club’s CEO, Bennett Mamoledi to the Welfare Manager, it is explained the move was necessary because of the team’s ‘dire financial situation’.
It further reasons that it is not possible to sustain full salaries in the absence of formal, competitive football.
The communiqué also states the Technical Team will be put on half salaries ‘henceforth’.
According to the memo, these measures will be in force until the return of official, BFA sanctioned football.
The letter has angered players, who claim they were never consulted over the decision.
Last April, the board and club committee addressed players on the financial effects of Covid-19 and lack of funds. It was agreed by all parties that players would receive 50 percent of their salaries.
This has now been in effect for the best part of a year, except the three months of Galaxy’s ill-fated CAF participation when players received full salaries.
The Debswana-backed side Galaxy is widely considered to be one of local football’s more financially stable outfits. However, it seems Covid-19 has hit their pockets hard.
According to one of the players, who preferred not to be named for fear of victimization, they realised there was a problem when they did not receive their February salaries until 10th March.
He said what angered them is that the letter was shared in WhatsApp group and they were never consulted.
“We do not understand why we were not consulted like they did before. When we call for a proper meeting with the manager, they keep on avoiding us and this is pissing us off. We have agreed that if they make that mistake of paying us allowance next week, we will withdraw the cash and give it back to them. This is breach of contract. It is change of plans hence contract adjustment without our consent. When football returns, we will not return to Galaxy,” he insisted.
