Football
ISL 2020-21: Kerala Blasters yet to pay full salaries to players, coaching staff
While some of the important and key members of Kerala Blasters have received their salaries, a few others have not been so fortunate.
Some players and members of the coaching staff of Kerala Blasters FC are yet to be paid in full although the Indian Super League (ISL) season concluded almost two months back, The Bridge has learnt. While some of the important and key members have received their salaries, a few others have not been so fortunate.
The Blasters played their last match of the league on February 23rd against Odisha FC. Having finished seventh in the league table with 19 points (just four wins) from 18 matches, the Kochi-based club could not make it to the playoffs. Eelco Schattorie was sacked as the head coach and consequently, Karolis Skinkys was named as the new Sporting Director. Kibu Vicuna, the man who led Mohun Bagan to I-League glory, was then announced as Schattorie’s replacement.
However, on one hand, when plans for next season are in full flow, the club is yet to clear the salaries for last season. “It’s true,” a player, who did not wish to be named, confirmed. “Some of us are yet to be paid in full but I am hopeful it will come through. Maybe, they need some time given the unforeseen circumstances.”
Interestingly, as was reported a few days back, Hyderabad FC have also not paid some of their players and ex-coach Phil Brown. According to the report, Brown wrote to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) seeking help. As for Kerala’s players and coaches, they haven’t yet approached the chief football body.
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“How will I get the money which is due?” asked another integral member. “I have considered writing to the AIFF, but for now, I just want to wait for the management. People have bills to pay, you know. I hope that all the dues are cleared as soon as possible.”
It is to be noted that while certain I-League clubs, including East Bengal, have enforced the force majeure clause, prematurely terminating the players’ contracts, it’s not the same case for ISL.
The ‘Force Majeure’ is a contractual clause that allows a party to terminate or stall the performance of its obligations when an unprecedented event or circumstance arises beyond their control. It is to be noted that while the I-League had to be concluded abruptly, with at least four rounds of matches still left for each team, the ISL was completed just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country.
The Kerala Blasters management could not be reached for a statement, at the time of writing.
Also read: ISL 2020-21: How Kerala Blasters could shape up under Kibu Vicuna
