Former Golden Jaguars captain Chris Nurse is lambasting the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for its decision to release the remuneration package of the Golden Jaguars players participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Pre- Qualifiers.
During an exclusive interview Saturday with Stabroek Sport, Nurse said the figures were completely unacceptable for international footballers.
“The debacle in the releasing of players’ remuneration is expected and in line with the lack of respect and dignity afforded to the players,” said Nurse.
“It is incredible how the figures paid to the players are quickly made public despite the figures being completely unacceptable for international football,” he added.
Nurse said that despite the figures being unacceptable, the feeling is that because football is viewed as a ghetto sport, the players should be grateful.
“In Guyana we still view football as a ghetto sport and as such we feel comfortable to present sub-par remuneration and feel the players should be grateful for what they are receiving and the public will agree.
“Not one of those figures is acceptable for international football, in the professional world of football it’s actually shameful!”
The local governing body on its official Facebook page, released the financial information on proposed payment for its players.
According to the post, each player that is a member of the starting team, will receive US$350 while players that make an appearance from the substitute’s bench will pocket US$250. Unused substitutes will receive US$150. Every player will also receive a US$100 bonus for a victory while US$25 will be awarded to each player for every goal scored. The goals bonus is only payable for a maximum of four goals scored. Similarly, the players were only given a per diem of US$50 for the first four days, despite being in the Dominican Republic for 14 days.
In terms of transportation costs during the training sessions, which commenced on January 12 following two days of evaluations, the post further disclosed that players hailing from Georgetown were given GY$300 per session. Individuals from the East Coast of Demerara and West Demerara region, were reimbursed GY$400 apiece.
Players travelling from Linden and Berbice were reimbursed GY$3,000.
“A GFF bus was also made available for pickup, with some players using the bus to return to Georgetown,” the post concluded.
Nurse questioned why the financial packages for the administrators and foreign staff were not disclosed by the local governing body, declaring that the federation seems willing to defend the integrity of that group but is willing to humiliate the players.
He explained, “Why do we not see the figures of the administrators’ salaries and remuneration publicised?
Why do we not see the salaries of the foreign staff and their remuneration?
It is incredible that they are so willing to protect the integrity of those individuals but so quick to embarrass, shame, and belittle the Guyanese players.”
Nurse said, “In addition, we have witnessed nothing spectacular that warrants having a foreign coach at the helm of the senior national team, the performance nor the results have represented anything a local or Guyanese coach could not have achieved. Maybe the narrative of opportunity and exposure should be deployed to the coaching positions. If no one gives the local or Guyanese coaches a chance, who will?”
