AFC Leopards players boycott training over unpaid dues
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Apr 23, 2015
With hardly three days before taking on Tusker in a crucial Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match, AFC Leopards players boycotted training yesterday morning, protesting over unpaid dues.
Leopards, who lost 1-0 to Ushuru last weekend, desperately need to bounce back to winning ways but off-pitch problems threaten to derail them.
According to a source in the team, the players failed to turn up at the point where they are normally picked up by the bus to be dropped at the Railway Training Institute grounds for training.
"The bus was at the usual spot on time but no player turned up and it had to leave. There was no training session in the morning. The players are really frustrated by the club's reluctance to clear their outstanding dues and there are chances they may even miss playing the match against Tusker," said our source.
Two weeks ago, the players were paid just one month of their three-month's pending dues.
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On Tuesday, majority of first-team players boycotted training conducted by a demoralised head coach Zradvko Logarusic.
A player who asked not to be named confirmed seven players who started Saturday's match against Ushuru did not turn up for training.
"The issue of salary arrears has not been sorted out to the satisfaction of everyone and on Tuesday, a number of players did not turn up for training, including the seven who started Saturday's match against Ushuru," he said.
"It is becoming very difficult for the players to concentrate and they cannot give their best without being paid. The situation is so bad, but we continue to persevere, hoping that things will get better," he told FeverPitch.
Leopards are facing a serious financial crunch after shirt sponsors Mumias Sugar, who is also undergoing financial challenges after making huge losses in the last three years, suspended their sponsorship for three months.
Contacted for comment, AFC Leopards chairman Allan Kasavulli said he was addressing the issue with a view to finding a lasting solution.
"I am currently meeting the players to address their concerns," said Kasavuli.