Portuguese cash crisis forces unpaid players to ask union for money

Joaquim Evangelista

By Gareth Messenger
July 23 – Delays in wage payments by cash-strapped football clubs in Portugal have forced dozens of players to ask their union for money, according to the head of the country’s players’ association. 

Joaquim Evangelista, head of the Portuguese Association of Professional Footballers, has warned the depth of the country’s national sport is under threat due to poor management at smaller teams, resulting in professionals in the country relying on external funds to pay for rent and food.

Evangelista, who is also a board member of world players’ union FIFPro, also blames unrealistic club ambition for disrupting the lives of players and their families.

“Most Portuguese clubs live far beyond their means and don’t make an effort to adjust,” he said. “On the contrary, they think: ‘If I’m successful, I’ll collect revenues later so I’ll take that risk’.”

Portuguese clubs such as Olhanense, Naval, Vitoria de Setubal and Vitoria de Guimaraes were some of those hit by financial troubles.

“The vast majority of professional clubs in Portugal had salary delays last season, with six-month delays in the most extreme cases,” Evangelista added.

“This has led to Portuguese and foreign players being unable to pay their rent and food, surviving thanks to our union. The situation is getting worse. I alert you that delays will happen again next season.”

However, a spokesman for Vitoria de Setubal said Evangelista’s comments on salary delays only hurt clubs in Portugal.

“I’m surprised by Mr Evangelista’s comments. Setubal likes to solve its matters internally, we explained our reasons and I regret that he made such a public statement. We consider the matter over. We work with maximum discretion to solve the problems that unfortunately we have. It’s not easy in any sector in Portugal these days.”

Filipe Falardo, a former Benfica midfielder who won nine caps for Portugal’s youth teams said the problem was a common one.

“I’ve suffered salary delays first hand. I’ve had to go to court because clubs don’t fulfil their deals. It happens every year,” said the 29-year-old. “Football players are often labelled as millionaires but at the end of the day that doesn’t really happen. Maybe the bigger clubs do pay big salaries but the others don’t.”

Apart from Benfica, Porto, Sporting and Braga, footballers in Portugal earn, on average, between €2,000 and €3,000 a month so payment delays can cause havoc in their personal lives.

In arguably the most extreme case, Uniao Leiria fielded just eight players for a top flight-match after 16 squad members filed collective resignation letters over late wages resulting in the club’s eventual insolvency.

Portuguese clubs have a deadline over the summer to show they have paid all salaries to be able to play next campaign. They can either submit pay slips or have players sign a declaration saying everything is in order.

“Players want to keep their jobs, to play, to get the money they are owed. They sign off because there is no other choice, otherwise they will be punished,” Evangelista said.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1733929748labto1733929748ofdlr1733929748owedi1733929748sni@r1733929748egnes1733929748sem.h1733929748terag1733929748. Gareth is Editor-in-Chief of www.laliganews.tv