Caps Impasse Ends

CAPS United president Farai Jere revealed yesterday that he turned down a proposal from the club's board to slash the salaries for his players because he wants them to derive inspiration -- from their good incomes to try and win the championship.

The revelations were made at a meeting between the CAPS United leadership, players and coaching staff in Harare yesterday where the impasse, which had paralysed operations at the Green Machine this week, ended.

Twenty one players, including all the senior players, the entire technical team led by Lloyd Chitembwe, club chairman Lewis Uriri, chief executive Cuthbert Chitima and board member Willard Manyengavana attended yesterday's meeting.

The Green Machine players did not train on Tuesday and Wednesday as they revolted against their leadership over the delayed payment of their May salaries and the winning bonus for the victory over champions Chicken Inn.

Caps Impasse Ends

Jere, who was away in Cape Town when the revolt exploded, addressed his players and coaching staff at their training ground yesterday after the salaries and winning bonuses were transferred into the players' accounts.

The Harare businessman revealed he turned down a proposed salary cut for the players due to the harsh economic climate because he believes they need their current wages to inspire them to glory.

"For your own information, I am to blame for this situation which is happening at CAPS United. The board had requested that we reduce the players' salaries to about $600 maximum, which is in line with the salaries prevailing in this economy, but I said let's not demotivate these youngsters," he said.

"Let's keep the salaries where they are so that they give us their best, they give us maximum effort and this is why the team is where it is.

"We are talking of a delay and we are talking of one winning bonus which is outstanding against Chicken Inn. Can you call that a crisis which makes people refuse to train, stay away, does that call for an industrial action?"

The businessman said when the cash challenges started he advised his players that there would be delays in the payment of salaries, but ultimately, the club's leadership would deliver on their commitments.

"I am a businessman and I came here and I spoke to these guys and I told them 'look the cash situation which is now prevailing in this country for the past months, there is going to be some delays in payment, but the salaries would be coming,' and the salaries have been coming," said Jere.

"And to someone who is working, if your boss addresses you like that, there is need to plan your things and the winning bonuses have been coming on time so you can use that to pay your rentals because it is a question of trust knowing that your salary would be coming.

"I am trying to get the answers from them to find out where the problem is and they tell me there is no crisis, but we just wanted to be heard, but did that call for an industrial action?

"I think you will appreciate that some organisations have even gone for a year, or months, without paying salaries, but we have been doing it monthly."

Jere challenged his players to put this week's impasse behind them and play for their fans, especially now that their biggest rivals Dynamos have started to pick up some points.

"We are getting all this negative coverage at a time the club has started very well and we have been doing very well and we are only two points from the leaders, can you imagine?" Jere told his players.

"Whenever Dynamos start to play well, you tend to start destroying yourselves, you have been constructing your house well, but now you want to press the self-destruction button.

"I am not moved, I am not affected since 2004 and I have seen worst things. You know when you are dealing with people who can come together and are prepared to talk like this then it's encouraging.

"As you saw all the players are here, we have been talking and they can't even tell you the reason why they went on strike.

"Some of these things are caused by players who are not getting game time. They create a problem and it filters down to other players. We are very experienced and we know how to deal with this and the players are back in training and have vowed to win for the fans."

Jere said the technical team, headed by Chitembwe, would remain intact and assured assistant coach Mark Mathe that he would not be dismissed.