Money wrangles brewing at BB

• Players want 60% cut
• Executive consulting

Newly crowned TNM Super League champions Big Bullets players are demanding a 60 percent cut [about K5.4 million or $10 800] from the anticipated K9 million (about $18 000) prize money.

According to the club’s constitution, players are entitled to a 40 percent cut [about K3.6 million or $7 200] from every cash prize earned, but a meeting convened by the players prior to winning the league, resolved that they should be offered 20 percent more.

A similar issue sparked an uproar when Bullets won the Carlsberg Cup in August this year, when Bullets also got K9 million as their prize money.

Team captain Henry Kabichi and club spokesperson Harold Fote confirmed the development.

“Of course, we are aware that the constitution says we are entitled to a 40 percent cut, but we want them to exercise special consideration looking at the feat we have achieved.

“Unlike other competitions, you play 28 games to win the league and considering that it has taken the team almost a decade to win the league, we need to be rewarded for our sweat,” said Kabichi on Monday.

He also said a 60 percent reward could motivate the players into giving out something extra next season.

“The standard of living has also gone up and at least sharing 60 percent [about K5.4 million] among a squad of 30 players would make a notable difference to our livelihood.

“So, it is our hope that management will take our plea into consideration,” said Kabichi.

But Fote said they are still consulting on the issue.

“We are treating it as a request since the constitution is clear about players’ percentage cut. We are currently consulting all our stakeholders, in particular the board of trustees and the main supporters committee,” said Fote.

He also said what needs to be borne in mind is that the players will need upkeep money during off-season and the club needs a starter-pack.

“Then we also have some debts that we need to clear, so it is an issue that needs to be looked at very critically,” he said.

The sharing of the Carlsberg Cup prize money sparked protests from a section of senior players in Bullets. It led to players such as Jimmy Zakazaka, Douglas Chirambo, James Chilapondwa and Vincent Gona being dropped from the squad for a league match against Civo United in Lilongwe in August.