Rollers in late salaries payment
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday June 10, 2023 06:00
The crediting of Rollers’ May salaries is Shah’s last act at the club. The two parties ended their decade-long marriage on May 31.
Rollers and Shah could not agree on ownership issues. It has been one of the untidiest ‘divorces’ in the history of the local game with an acrimonious end to the lengthy blissful relationship. This has seen players and staff at the club suffer as they had to wait for their delayed salaries. Reports on social media were that Popa staff was yet to receive their May salaries.
However, despite the club remaining mum on the ongoings at Popa, a reliable source indicated the salaries were credited on Thursday afternoon. “I can confirm that the players have been paid. There was a delay because the former president was abroad for several weeks and only came back on Monday to find a lot of issues needing his attention,” the source said.
Shah told Mmegi Sport the salaries had been paid.
“They (players) have been paid. Check with the players,” he briefly said.
Reached for comment, Rollers’ chairperson, Bafana Pheto could not respond to Mmegi Sport questions as he said he was in a meeting. The club’s public relations officer, Pako Lebanna said that Rollers will keep the issues internal as he could not confirm nor deny the allegations of late payments. Popa has decided to put a lid on matters surrounding the break-up with Shah a week ago. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Footballers Union of Botswana (FUB) secretary-general, Kgosana Masaseng said the union was aware of the matter (of late payments) and was scheduled to meet with the players today (Friday).
The Blues have one of the biggest wage bills in the top-flight league with the club’s operational costs estimated at just over P700,000 per month. Meanwhile, Shah’s return to the club has been ruled out.
The club has since moved from the office in Block 10 location in Gaborone. As per images that made rounds on social media, Popa will move to the Fairground Mall.