Second-tier professional rugby team, the East Rand-based Valke, cannot pay its contracted players as the provincial franchise buckles under the financial pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The MyPlayers union confirmed on Sunday the Valke players had not been paid their salaries last month, with the organisation struggling to stay afloat as domestic rugby remained suspended under government lockdown regulations.
Eugene Henning, the CEO of the players’ union, and Valke CEO Ettienne de Lange had informed the members of the elite rugby squad in a virtual meeting on Friday that they would not be paid for July.
“Going forward, the focus is now to support the players,” MyPlayers said in a statement.
The Valke players had been offered debt counselling assistance, support with UIF applications, access to legal advice and assistance with creditors.
MyPlayers also confirmed they would receive “immediate relief for their day-to-day household needs” through the union’s hardship fund.
Read more article on Citizen News