Bosso players go on strike

Highlanders players went on strike on Tuesday by boycotting training as they pressed for outstanding salaries, bonuses and allowances. 

A senior player, who refused to be identified for fear of reprisal, said that all the players had resolved to stay out of training yesterday unless the executive came forward with their money.

"These old men have taken us for a ride for too long. As for myself, I am owed a lot of money by the club and I don't know what to do. We have families that have to be fed. I have not had my salary for the past three months. We actually resolved with the rest of the players yesterday (on Tuesday) that we are not going for training today (Tuesday) until we receive something from the executive. As for today, I don't think anyone will be going for training," the player said.

Another player, who also refused to be named, said all was not well at the club despite the nine consecutive victories Bosso had garnered over the last few weeks.

He said they had communicated to the executive that they were not attending training yesterday until all their dues had been paid.

"We, as players, are not happy. Of course, we have been enjoying that we have been winning, but where is the joy when there is no money? We have agreed and communicated to the executive that we will not be training until we receive our money. So while we are not training, we wait for them to call and tell us that they have our money so we can resume practice," the player said.

He said all the players had agreed that they would not be going to Barbourfields Stadium for training until the executive called them.

Highlanders secretary-general Andrew Tapela denied there was any such communication from the players, saying he would only get to know of that position from the technical team when training started. Tapela said it was not the club's business to discuss staff salaries with the media.

"We will see that when training starts. We have a system that the players know and has been very efficient. What is there is between us and the players and we will only know what is happening at training. If there is anyone that is going about singing to the press then it is their problem. Look, we cannot go around telling people who we owe and who we don't," Tapela said.

It is not the first time that Bosso players have gone on strike this year over unpaid salaries.

Highlanders have been in a financial quandary, which has seen them fail to pay former coach Mohamed Fathi and their players.

We are reliably reliably informed that the club owes an undisclosed amount of money to caretaker coach Mkhupali "Mr Cooper" Masuku.