SABC Sport reported this past weekend that, now with only six days to Banyana’s opening game against Sweden on Sunday, the South African Football Association (SAFA) have not concluded bonus negotiations with the team Down Under.

The South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) confirmed this past weekend that SAFA had reneged on the confirmation publicly made at a press conference two weeks ago that support staff members would each be paid half (R115 000) of the R230 000 bonuses promised to the players.

However, SAFA, who were also present in the briefing, released a statement on Sunday to dispute the amount and further reasoned that they do not pay appearance fees to support staff members.

Having mediated the impasse prior to their departure for New Zealand earlier this month, Kodwa stressed that SAFA offered assurance that the matter would be resolved.

"The issues about discrimination, we must fight against so that, when there are issues or anything is outstanding between SAFA leadership, they promised me and made a commitment that they will resolve these issues in a matter of days before the end of the tournament," said Kodwa.

"What I'm more worried about, when I read it a few days ago – not only in South Africa [but] there are a number of countries that have not resolved contractual issues with players, I'm talking about some of the best developed countries.

"And it worries me that it only happens with women's football. With men's football, you hear little about these issues."

Kodwa, who was also in attendance of the presser in Sandton on 5 July, has vowed to engage the association on the latest developments.

"[We're] not disappointed because I think it's the amount of energy that we must still put punches [sic] to the leadership of SAFA. Like I said, it's not only a South African phenomenon," he added.

"I think it's quite unfair that right at the door of the tournament, we are still discussing these matters."

MARK-WILLIAMS

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