CAF CC: Rivers state government explains delay in Rivers United players’ salary

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of Rivers United’s third group game in the CAF Confederation Cup against leaders, Club Africain this weekend, Rivers State Government has cleared the air on why the players’ salaries were delayed.

In the last seven matches, the Pride of Rivers won three, drew two, and lost two games in all competitions. Despite their impressive form, rumours of their prolong unpaid salaries took the media by storm.

In a reaction, state Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Chris Green has said that the delay in payment of players’ salary for November is a measure by the state to bring the best out of the players after their recent poor displays.

The sports administrator further disclosed that the players being among the highest paid in the NPFL without delay in payment with other emoluments to encourage them to win games, the players were not doing enough and needed a stiff measure to get them back on track.

“These players are the highest paid in the country. They earn as much as Nine hundred thousand naira (N900,000) and some Eight hundred thousand naira (N800,000) as salary without being owed a dime,” Green told bsnports.com.ng

“This is to make sure that they are focused and give good results back to the state and Nigeria but the players were not committed, so, we decided to take a measure to get back on track.”

The Pride of Rivers sits in the third position in the CAF Confederation Cup Group C with three points after two games behind Club Africain (Tunisia) with six points and Dream (Ghana) also on three points.

He added, “Their November salary is intact but was withheld as measure in bringing out the best in them. In their contract, everything is performance-based. The management noticed that despite all the good gestures the players were replicating by good performance on the pitch.

“No club in Nigeria pays estacode for players but we did that for the players to encourage them to give their best at the continent but what did they give in return?

“Payment of estacode is not in their contract, it’s not a right but a privilege. Rivers United is the only club in Nigeria that pays players same day they sign for the club. All the bonuses are duly paid without owing any.

“We have done everything in making sure that they qualify for the quarter-final of the CAF Confederation Cup but the results were not in tandem with they get,” Green concluded.

With some outstanding games to play in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Rivers United is in the bottom half of the log.