Clubs neglect players welfare

Top-flight clubs’ continued noncommittal to partner Football Players Association (FPA) due to a stand-off over the body’s funding criteria has put football players in danger of not getting proper treatment or compensation once they get injured this season.

The 2018 season kicked off almost two months ago but TNM Super League players continue to play without necessities, including insurance cover, medical aid and pension scheme as clubs insist that they are against the idea of letting FPA operations to be funded through an eight percent cut from gate revenue.

According to FPA general secretary Ernest Mangani, up to now, it is only Moyale Barracks FC, Dwangwa United and Nchalo United that have shown interest to get their players covered by submitting registration forms in the 16-team TNM Super League.

He said it is for this reason, therefore, that FPA has given up on calling for players’ registration through their respective clubs and has opted to approach the footballers as individuals.

It is a normal practice for employers, and in this case clubs, to ensure that the welfare of their players is well looked after, but the latest development means the players have to fend for themselves to contribute towards their welfare as they entertain soccer lovers and enrich their clubs that seem more interested in making ‘satisfactory’ gate revenue.

“We have exhausted all means to compel teams to forward membership application forms for players to be covered,” Mangani said.

“However, it is the right of every player in the top-flight league to sign and submit their registration forms if their respective clubs are delaying the process.”

The FPA general secretary stated that the decision to approach the players as individuals also follows discussions the body and Super League of Malawi (Sulom) are involved in  with a prospective sponsor, which will be unveiled soon, to have a joint medical scheme to be administered under FPA.

But the clubs insist letting eight percent cut from their gross revenue to fund FPA’s operations is a burden to them as their share is already depleted due to a big number of stakeholders that benefit from gate-takings.

Be Forward Wanderers’ general secretary Mike Butao said while they understand the importance of the initiative, there should be a “fair proportion considering that, from our gate takings, we already pay a lot to Football Association of Malawi [FAM], Sulom and Malawi National Council of Malawi [MNCS]”.

Nyasa Big Bullets chief executive officer Fleetwood Haiya said they do not see the need to partner FPA because Bullets already have “better insurance, medical and pension schemes” for their players.

“Why should we get our players FPA schemes when on our own we are doing even better than what they can offer. For instance, our players are on executive medical scheme at Medical Aid Society of Malawi [Masm] yet FPA will put them on a lower medical scheme,” he said.

But Soccer analyst George Kaudza-Masina believes most of the country’s top league clubs do not take the welfare of their players seriously and that is the reason most players end up being destitute.

“The establishment of FPA, initiated by FAM, should be highly recommended. But it is unfortunate that most of the clubs are just interested in their own welfare, not that of the players. It is sad that the clubs are not being cooperative to the extent that FPA has resorted to approaching the players individually,” he said.

“It is high time the players teamed up to fight for their rights and welfare.  Let the club officials understand that clubs are there because of the same players they are neglecting for their selfish reasons. If our players had managers, these things could have been part of the players’ contracts.”

He said contributing eight percent gate revenue gross to FPA is nothing compared to the contribution the players are making to the clubs and the advantage it will have on the players in the long run.

Masina said: “Let the club officials rethink their stand as working as a team is much better than individually. They should not take players for granted.”

On his part, Wanderers veteran midfielder Joseph Kamwendo has welcomed the idea of FPA dealing with the players as individuals, but he believes the clubs should still show commitment to contribute towards the players welfare.

“The FPA should as well do more to let the players understand how the union would be operating and should sit together to devise other ways of organising fundraising activities,” he said.

Nation on Sunday has established that in most countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, operations of football players’ unions are mostly funded through the players membership fees before other stakeholders such as the world players governing body FIFPro make additional funding. Fundraising activities such as soccer bonanza’s are also considered.

Meanwhile, a three-day FIFPro Africa Division Congress, which concluded yesterday in Zimbabwe, was also expected to tackle thoroughly the issue of further enhancing revenue for players unions.

Cameroon football legend Geremi Njitap and Confederation of African Football (CAF) deputy secretary general Anthony Baffoe headlined a host of the game’s former stars that converged at Victoria Falls for the congress.