RAYON Sports players have threatened to sue the club if they do not reverse the controversial decision of not paying players and technical staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a statement released by the club on Monday, April 20, the decision backdates to March, meaning the players are only owed the February salaries. The Blues are one of the few clubs that rely on match-day ticket receipts for income. Their last league game over a month ago was held behind closed doors due to the coronavirus fears and the club is currently facing a cash crunch. In a letter addressed to Rayon Sports president, Sadate Munyakazi, on Tuesday, skipper Eric Rutanga argued that the decision is a violation of players’ contracts, did not take into account recommendations from Fifa and the local football body (Ferwafa) and neither were the players consulted before the decision was made. “On behalf of the players that I represent, I request that the club reverses its decision and consult players first. Besides, it is unfair not to be paid for March yet we played all the matches that were scheduled for the month.” “But if nothing is done, we will seek justice through other available channels.” Of the 16 teams that make the local topflight league, only five teams have continued to pay their players during the coronavirus lockdown.
