October 31 – Gabon, hosts of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, has been threatened by its players who say they are prepared to go on strike in a row over non-payment of salaries. Chief among four main demands is the back payment of salaries dating from present day back to 2013.
“If our concerns are not met, we will tell the players not to start the championship (next month),” Remy Ebanega, former Gabon international defender and president of the Gabonese footballers’ association (ANFPG), told the BBC.
The footballers’ demands have been sent to FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Gabon’s Minister of Sport and, among others, the local FA.
Ebanega believes the majority of players, who complain of poor working conditions, breaches of contract and unfair dismissals, are in favour of a strike.
“I can’t say everyone is behind the move as some are hesitating, but we issued our statement because we know the majority agree,” explained Ebanega, currently based in France. “We don’t want to get to the point of a strike. That is the last resort. The players need to be fully paid.
“They have not been paid since the beginning of last season. Collectively, they are owed a lot of money. The league and clubs should understand it’s players – fathers of families – who are suffering.”
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