RED LIONS PLAYERS GO 7 MONTHS WITHOUT PAY

MBABANE – The fiscal crisis is not hitting government only as Premier League clubs are in the same plight. The Times Sports Desk has uncovered an anomaly in one of the teams playing in the National First Division trading as Red Lions F.C.

The Manzini-based side, which is currently three places from the bottom of the standings, is struggling to run its daily activities like training sessions, travelling to games and let alone pay salaries for players and technical bench.

According to a source close to the matter, players have not been paid since the start of the season.
“Some of the players are not taking this lightly as they have bills to pay. It is hard for them to understand because they were promised salaries but the management has been promising them since the start of the season,” the source asserted.

The source further hinted that some of the players started boycotting training for the past two weeks.
“This is the very reason the team is fighting for relegation. The players are not paid or at least incentivised when they have performed well. The management must at least pay them the little that they have,” the source said.

When reached for comment, the captain Sandile ‘Schillo’ Mhlanga confirmed that they had challenges but understood the situation at the club.

tough

“Yes my man, things are tough here but we are trying. We senior players understand the situation and we are working hard to at least avoid relegation. It is true that we do not get paid but  we cannot blame the management because they are trying their best,” Mhlanga said.
He further urged sponsors to help the team with funds.

Red Lions General Manager Elvis Dube also confirmed that they had financial crises after they were relegated.
“We are managing but its’ difficult to run a team when you have limited funds. On the issue of players, we never promised salaries. They joined us knowing we had financial challenges. However, with that being said, we have been assisting players whenever we can. It is hard as I highlighted early but we do meet them halfway when they are in need,” Dube said.

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