IT’S the Christmas season but for some players of Global Cebu FC, there’s no reason to be jolly. Why? They don’t have money as they have been unpaid for months.
A few weeks ago, I was shown a couple of videos of Global Cebu players airing out their plight. One said he couldn’t go home for the holidays; the other said the bills are piling and as head of the family and breadwinner, it was taking its toll. I expected the videos to hit social media in the next few days but I didn’t see anything.
A few days ago, some players of Global Cebu reached out to me to air their plight.
“This situation has affected not only us but also our families and (our) health physically and mentally,” one told me.
They wanted to remain anonymous but I told them that I had to get the side of Mark Jarvis, the new team owner, to be fair to both parties.
However, Mark only mentioned about a group chat where the players can freely air their side and wasn’t able to answer my question on the players’ getting unpaid for months.
It’s been common knowledge that Global Cebu was in a financial bind in the past and I thought it was all settled when Jarvis stepped in as team owner from Alvin Carranza, who bought the team from Dan Palami.
But it seems the situation has gone from bad to worse. Just read their complaints.
“Some of the players will not be spending Christmas with family...For some they still have little savings left but for sure it won’t be enough,” Player 1 said. “Even others come to a point that they send demand letter but I don’t think the management respect about it.”
“Most of us are having a hard time. Especially the foreigners, some of us here have small income just for the bills and food,” Player 2 said.
According to one of the players, the squad before the transfer window went seven months without pay, while the current squad has gone four months.
“Mine is four months before I transfered to....having a hard time now, also my family is suffering. Lots of bills to pay for that backlog,” Player 3 said.
Player 4 said they resorted to contacting the media because whenever they inquired about the backpay, there were always told it would come “next week.” The answer would be the same when next week comes.
I think this has gone worse because of an issue among the previous owners but it’s sad that the players are getting caught in the crossfire. I mean, if unpaid employees can go to the Department of Labor and Employment for intervention, where can unpaid footballers of the Philippine Football League go?
The media? All we can do is air their side. Who can help them?
I am still hoping though that the players and the management can come to terms and settle what should be settled.
With the new season set to begin in March, Global Cebu (if it retains the name Cebu) need to start anew. It deserves to start anew and I hope that will include settling the concerns of the players. I hope both players and management will have a happy Christmas.