The renumeration of footballers in Africa is nothing compared to the efforts they put in to make the game on the continent thrive, FIFPro, the International Players Union, the professional body that oversees the interest of international footballers, have observed.
According to FIFPro, 41 per cent of African footballers receive their salaries late or are not paid at all, a conclusion reached after a study on the issue.
Theo van Seggenlen, the General Secretary of FIFPro, made this known at this year’s FIFPro Africa Division General Assembly taking place in Accra. He said a labour market research of 14,000 players in 54 African countries found that 41 per cent of football professionals do not get a salary and 45 per cent earn less than $1,000 a month.
He said FIFPro finds the situation unacceptable and was hopeful of putting an end to the situation after holding talks with Confederation of African Football vice president, Kwesi Nyantakyi today.
“This is something for FIFpro which is not acceptable and I really hope that we can convince FIFA, the clubs and also the leagues that we have to make an end of that it is our collective responsibility and we must not rest till we tackle it.
“The football player has a very short career which is his job and work and everybody working in the world has to be paid and why not our professional players and this a priority and we must stop this before the end of the year,” he stressed.
His comments were re-echoed by the Minister of Youth and Sports (MOYS), Isaac Asiamah who advocated the introduction of standardised contracts which will provide a basic salary for all players in the local league. who also addressed the Congress.
Mr Asiamah said the situation where footballers became destitute in retirement must be consigned to the past, stating that the MOYS was hoping to compliment the efforts of the PFAG by establishing a sports fund which would contribute a portion of its proceeds to cater for retired players.
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