HARARE - The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz) is deeply concerned with the current state of affairs at CAPS United, Chiredzi FC and Shabanie Mine where players have gone for months without salaries.
Fuz chairman Desmond Maringwa and Paul Gundani were in Zvishavane last week where they discovered that since the start of the season, Shabanie players are yet to get their salaries and signing on fees.
On top of that, some players are living appalling conditions with some using a toilet as a make shift bedroom.
Chiredzi FC players stormed the cashier’s officer at the end of their home match against Hwange trying to get their hands on the gate takings as they have not been paid since the start of the year.
At the weekend, CAPS United were thrown into turmoil after star player Hardlife Zvirekwi refused to travel to Gweru for a league match against Chapungu as he was owed his salary.
The rest of the United players decided against going on industrial action and travelled to Ascot Stadium where they put in a insipid performance as they lost 3-0 to Chapungu.
All this bickering has not escaped the attention of Fuz, who have urged club bosses be open with their players.
“Our position is very clear. If two parties enter into an agreement there must be mutual respect of the contract entered,” said Fuz secretary general Paul Gundani.
“If there are challenges in meeting the requirements of the contract, the concerned party must communicate with the other party in due course.
“However, the communication is not done and when it’s done it will be on the pay day when the players will be expecting payment.
“People must not expect players to continue playing for free.”
Gundani urged clubs to look for alternative funding rather than rely of gate takings to finance their day-to-day running costs.
“The other concern we have is that most club bosses are now using the current economic crunch affecting the local economy as a scapegoat of failing to pay their players,” he said.
“Club must establish strong marketing arms that will help them look for alternative ideas of raising money.
“Another issue is that when the clubs are negotiating for a sponsorship for the league, they should look at a package that will see them get monthly grants.
“It is better for the clubs to get $5 000 a month that will ensure that they fulfil their matches throughout the season rather than wait to get the prize money at the end of the season.”
While the union is worried by the failure by clubs to pay salaries on time, they also feel that players must not take matters into their own hands.
“We want to encourage players to inform us as Fuz first before they embark on a strike,” said Gundani.
“Fuz is now a registered labour union with the Ministry of Labour and before players go on strike there are certain procedures that must be followed first to ensure that the strike is legal.”