The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
THE welfare of Castle Lager Premiership players and coaches, who normally depend on winning bonuses, refreshments and training allowances to augment inadequate salaries, has been left at the mercy of their employers at a time when all sporting activities have been put on ice owing to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The 2020 Castle Lager Premiership season was pushed to a date to be announced owing to the pandemic, thereby exposing inadequacies in contracts signed between players and clubs given the absence of cushioning income in periods of inactivity.
That the 2020 Castle Lager Premiership season might spill into next year if the COVID-19 lockdown is extended or if the league authorities decide to match the European calendar, also presents a challenge to most clubs whose players’ contracts expire at the end of this year.
In the likely event that the season spills into next year, this might see some clubs struggling to tie down players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the year.
Well-known Harare-based Fifa-licensed agent George Deda said: “This is something that is being debated by all clubs around the world. It all depends on how the contracts were crafted. Basically, our contracts in Zimbabwe are standard, they do not really deal with such situations.
“But I remember when I took players to Buildcon in Zambia and to Nkana Red Devils in the same country, they have clauses to say the club is entitled not to pay a player when he asks for extended leave.
“For example, a player asks to go back to Zimbabwe to sort out personal issues, in that instance the club does not have to pay the player during that period.
“Also, another contract I signed with Buildcon stipulated that in the event that there is no activity, the club will not be in a position to pay a player. The player is only paid when the games sanctioned by the national association are underway.
“Most contracts do not touch on situations relating to disasters or pandemics like the coronavirus.”
Deda, an old hand in the player transfer business, who has sold more than 40 players to Europe, Asia and Africa since 1997, said: “Therefore, the whole thing exposes the inadequacies in our contracts and it now leaves players at the mercy of clubs. It is entirely up to the clubs whether to add something outside contractual agreements.
“Then you also look at the global scenario, most clubs around the world like Barcelona, PSG and others, have agreed that players will have 30 percent of their salaries or wages slashed.
“In the Scotland League, they have agreed that their players will take half their normal salaries. If you look at the smaller clubs in Austria, Scotland and Poland, their sponsorship cannot be compared to that of the EPL, while the situation is even worse in Zimbabwe.
“English clubs can survive without gate takings because of the sponsorship they enjoy. The last time I was in England, the most expensive ticket was around £40 for a Manchester United match and that barely covers the costs of supporting staff or the maintenance of facilities.”
Deda argued that given the local scenario, players need to receive their salaries.
“Most players have one-year contracts and it’s not their fault. They should be paid despite the inactivity,” he said.
In a separate interview, Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) secretary-general Thomas Sweswe said: “Players are professionals with a legally binding contract of employment and we expect clubs and players to respect contractual agreements, meaning their remuneration should not be a subject of debate.
“However, since players in the local game are largely cushioned by winning bonuses, they are bound to struggle financially during this period.
“But for now clubs must abide by the tenants of the employment relationship. Nobody should use the pandemic as an excuse to ignore legally-binding employment contracts. FUZ will always be on hand to provide legal assistance to footballers if need be.
“We applaud the Government’s efforts in curbing this pandemic because health matters are a priority. Life is precious.”
Sweswe said there was need for all stakeholders to engage and map the way forward.
Echoing Deda’s sentiments, Sweswe said the Zimbabwean situation can hardly be compared to the European scenario.
“European clubs pay a weekly wage, that’s why there was a mutual understanding between some clubs and players, but it would not be right for local clubs to unilaterally enforce a pay cut scenario. It will have to be on the basis of mutual understanding.
“We urge clubs and players to respect contractual agreements. This pandemic is not of anyone’s making,” he said.
Global football Covid-19 lockdown
pay cuts
Newcastle became the first English Premier League club to place their non-playing staff on temporary leave because of the coronavirus pandemic, to safeguard the future of the club.
Staff, including those from the club’s academy and foundation charity, have been instructed to apply for the government’s job retention scheme, where workers can claim 80 percent of their wages, up to £2 500 a month.
Footballers’ market value decline
It is possible – in fact, it is now looking increasingly likely – that the final games of the 2019/20 season have already been played.
The coronavirus pandemic doesn’t look like it will end any time soon and as a result, football may be out of all our lives for a significant period of time.
If this is the case – and let’s hope that, by some miracle, it isn’t – then we thought it’d be interesting to look at the players whose market value has decreased most over the course of the season.
Using data provided by Transfermarkt.com, we’re able to see the players whose market values have taken the biggest hits this season.
There are various reasons why a player’s market value would have decreased. It’s usually down to either poor form or age.
- Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid
Market value at start of season: £63 million
Current market value: £45 million
Yes, it’s been a difficult second season at Real Madrid for Vinicius Junior, but it’s important to remember that he’s still only 19 years old.
The Brazilian is still a massive talent — write him off at your peril.
- Philippe Coutinho: Bayern Munich (on loan from Barcelona)
Market value at start of season: £81 million
Current market value: £63 million
There’s talk that Philippe Coutinho could be heading back to England after two-and-a-half difficult years since leaving Liverpool.
The Brazilian, who is on loan from Barcelona, hasn’t been bad at Bayern Munich this season — scoring nine goals and registering eight assists in 32 games — and £63 million would be a bit of a steal for the 27-year- old.
- Neymar: PSG
Market value at start of season: £162 million
Current market value: £144 million
Neymar’s market value is still a ridiculous £144 million, so this drop of £18 million is hardly anything to worry about.
The Brazilian has scored 18 goals and set up 10 more in 22 games for PSG this season.
- Ousmane Dembele: Barcelona
Market value at start of season: £90 million
Current market value: £63 million
Ruled out for up to six months in February after suffering a hamstring injury, but Ousmane Dembele is still young enough (he turns 23 in May) to bounce back stronger.
- Eden Hazard: Real Madrid
Market value at start of season: £135 million
Current market value: £90 million
By his own admission, Eden Hazard’s debut season at Real Madrid hasn’t been good enough.
Injuries certainly haven’t helped the Belgian winger — he’s spent most of the season on the sidelines — but one goal and five assists in 15 appearances is a poor return from such a talented player.
Hopefully we’ll see him back to his brilliant best next season. — Additional reporting by online sources
