SAFPU details latest dispute between Swallows players and management

Shabalala told SABC Sport last night that the Swallows management reneged on an earlier agreement to pay the players their December salaries by the 22nd of this month and this led to the latest dispute.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced via a statement just less than four hours before the game of Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns that the Dube Birds will not be able to honour this fixture and Saturday’s game against Golden Arrows.

Shabalala says the players couldn’t trust the management anymore.

READ: Moroka Swallows financial troubles leads to PSL fixtures cancellation

"What made the situation worse according to what was shared between us and the players and also the management, it was the promise that was made to them to say their December salaries will also be paid not later than the 22nd of the month just to make up for all the other inconveniences of the months to allow them to prepare for proper Christmas breaks with families. So at least you'll have clothes and take care of their financial needs this December,” Shabalala said.

“Sadly, that was not honoured. Now moving into this game, they look at the issues of security because it's a game that was supposed to take place on the 27th of December and there's another game on Saturday which I think is the 30th of December against Golden Arrows and if they play those games without anything being honoured in respect to the outstandings but importantly the December salaries.

“The team reconvene on the 15th of Jan after the recess so it means they could find themselves with problems even further escalating to the school fees of children, to the placements in relation to all the arrangements that they need to make financially and there's no pressure as well all know since it's the AFCON break. They felt that this issue may not be dealt with, with urgency that it deserves because they foresee problems on the basis of the broken trust in the way that they've always received from management. They stood resolute in saying they will not honour the game if they are not paid their money."

SAFPU attended a meeting with the Swallows leadership and management on Tuesday and followed up with the players yesterday morning.

Players came dressed for the game but it’s also believed that the club by that time had already approached the PSL about the postponement of the game, as Shabalala explains further.

"But I must say the players came dressed in their attire. They had all their sporting equipment and all that was needed today was for the discussion to take place between the players and the management where they honour part of their promise in ensuring that these players take on to the field.

“But we understand that before the meeting took place, the chairman, uMr David had already advised already advised the PSL that there's a possibility that they might have to cancel or postpone today's [Wednesday] game and also Saturday's game on the basis of what he understood was the movement or the decision that would have been taken by the players.

“Even though it was not a firm decision at that point, it was just a hint from the players to say we are unhappy and we might take a step of not playing if you do not honour our payments and indeed that's what happened and the time did not help because it was very limited which is a lesson that Moroka Swallows and all other teams must really take a page from. To say that you must not leave these important matters into the dying minutes of game because PSL had the responsibility to inform all the stake holders necessarily before any wastage of resources if the game is not to partake and they were threading on a very fine line in relation to that.

“So, just to keep things safe, the chairman pronounced to the CEO of the PSL that today's [Wednesday] game will not take place and also the one on Saturday."