Failed project drags Bosso to Fifa

HIGHLANDERS FC are once again facing a dispute before Fifa, this time over unpaid prize money and medical bills claimed by former head coach Pieter de Jongh, a case that has been formally lodged on the Fifa Legal Portal.

De Jongh confirmed on Wednesday night from Kenya that his lawyer has filed a claim against the Bulawayo giants, demanding five percent of the club's share of prize money from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and the Chibuku Super Cup.

The Dutch coach insists the entitlement is explicitly stated in his contract and is not subject to negotiation or internal club policies.

"It is clear in my contract that I must get five percent of whatever comes as the club's share," De Jongh said. "Whether we win a tournament or get knocked out in the first round, that five percent is mine. That is what I signed."

De Jongh said he wrote to Highlanders demanding payment but was informed that he fell under the club's long-standing internal policy, where 60 percent of prize money is retained by the club and 40 percent shared among players. He rejected that position, arguing that the policy does not apply to him.

"I am an international coach. I had a contract with Highlanders and that contract says five percent of all prize money," he said. "They are now saying there is a club policy. That policy is not what I signed. My contract is clear."

After warning last week that failure to resolve the matter would result in Fifa action, De Jongh said the case is now active, with Kenyan-based lawyer Elvis Wanyami handling the dispute. Wanyami has previously represented him in similar contractual cases in Botswana and Malawi.

In addition to the prize money claim, De Jongh is also demanding payment of medical bills incurred in December while he was still under contract with Bosso.

"My contract ran until December 31. I fell ill on December 20 and 22 and went to see a doctor. Highlanders must pay that bill," he said.

The case revives Highlanders' troubled history with foreign coaches. In 2023, a dispute involving former coach Baltemar Brito left the club facing a Fifa transfer ban, which was only lifted after businessman Wicknell Chivayo paid US$26 000 to settle the matter.

If Fifa rules in De Jongh's favour, Highlanders could again face sanctions, including another transfer ban, at a time when the club is under pressure to rebuild its squad.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Highlanders chief executive officer Denzel Mnkandla were unsuccessful by the time of publication.