Players of Rubavu-based topflight side Etincelles have refused to report to training sessions due to unpaid wages. The players claim that they received their salaries just once since the beginning of 2023 while the other two months remain unpaid. Times Sport understands that the players walked out of Monday’s training sessions that were due to take place at Umuganda Stadium and told the club that they won’t return until their arrears are cleared. One of the players who spoke to Times Sport said that the management has on several occasions promised the players that they would get paid as soon as their main sponsor, Rubavu District, gives them the money they requested. However, players were impatient about the financial situation since the district didn’t tell when the money would be given out. They, as a result, protested against training ahead of their home game with Gasogi United on April 2 and they have given the management an ultimatum that they won’t return until they are paid. Etincelles are eighth on the table with 34 points, three points behind fifth-placed Gasogi. The club has had an impressive 2022/23 season which could turn poor should the district and club management fail to react to the financial situation that is preventing players from training.
