Triangle FC players cry foul

Zim Now Writer

Triangle players got the shock of their lives on Wednesday when their salaries started to reflect, while reflecting US$11.

They tried to protest but they were told they would be addressed by club chairman Lovemore Matikinyidze yesterday.

And they indeed met Matikinyidze yesterday who reportedly explained that most of their salary chunks had been wiped by “tax”, including the whole salary for those who didn’t get anything.

The disgruntled players are now contemplating to take the issue up with either their representative body, the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe or drag the club to court.

Triangle players get something in the region of US$140 plus $100 000 per month.

The Tongaat Hullet club, however pay competitive rates in winning bonuses, at US$250 per every game won, while an away draw is pegged at US$125. The players receive US$80 for a home draw.

However, those winning bonuses are also taxed, with the players taking home about US$96 after their 1-1 draw against Simba Bhora at the National Sports Stadium last week with about US$29 going towards “tax”.

Several Triangle United players who spoke on condition of anonymity said they feel used by the system.

“Things are slowly getting out of hand here. Some players didn’t receive anything for their May salaries while others got as little as US$11 with the player who got the largest amount taking home US$20,” said one senior player.

“We were told that most of the money went towards ‘tax’ as is always the case.

“Everything is complicated. We cannot understand a situation whereby all our salaries are wiped away by ‘tax’. That’s outrageous and strange”.

The players were supposed to go for a one-week break on Wednesday but they refused saying they didn’t have bus fare.

It was at this point that they were told they would be addressed by Matikinyidze, a meeting from which nothing materialised.

“Yes, we met Matikinyidze today (yesterday) but there was nothing that came out of his address. We are supposed to go for a one week break but the truth is we don’t have any money and we will not be going home until our concerns are addressed,” said another player.

“We feel that the treatment is very unfair on us. Everything is taxed and we don’t really get to enjoy our work.

“We will see what happens in the next few days but the truth is we are disgruntled and don’t get surprised if players start to ask for transfers”.

Questions sent to club spokesperson, Wendy Tinarwo had not been responded to at the time of writing.

“I have received the questions and forwarded them to my superiors. They are yet to come back to me,” said Tinarwo.

The Lowveld club has suffered a massive exodus of players over the past two seasons.

They had to rebuild from almost zero last season under coach, Jairos Tapera, who is now with Manica Diamonds.

They are also virtually restarting again under Thulani Sibanda and they have had a decent season so far.