The Osun Government has stopped the wages and salaries of contract coaches and athletes, including staff and players of the state-owned football clubs, Osun United and Osun Babes.
Tajudeen Amodu, the Media Officer of Osun United, said news of the salary suspension was conveyed in a letter signed by the Acting General Manager of the State Sports Council, Rotimi Dunmoye.
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Amodu said a copy of the letter was addressed to the Secretary of Osun United.
The letter reads in part: “Payments to staffers on other salaries, including Osun United Football Club, are suspended forthwith as approved by the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola.”
Amodu said further that the club management had received the letter from the Ministry of Youths and Sports through the State Sports Council, confirming the suspension of salaries.
Amodu said the club’s President, Ademola Adesina, had since reacted by urging Gov. Oyetola, to consider that global best practices forbid abrupt stoppage of salaries of footballers under contractual agreements with clubs.
“Adesina also urged the governor to emulate other state governments which have continued to pay salaries of their state-owned teams since the suspension of sports activities due to the coronavirus pandemic.’’
He added that Adesina appealed to the state government to consider the multiplier effects the salary stoppage would have on the players at this period.
Meanwhile, the state government has restated its suspension and stoppage of all protocols on sports activities with immediate effect.
Funmilayo Moradeyo, the Osun Sports Council spokesperson, on Wednesday in Osogbo explained that the measure was to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. (NAN)
