In what can only be described as habitual, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) once again is yet to remunerate the Golden Jaguars senior men’s programme for their match-day fees for the international friendly against Ethiopia and Nations League encounters against Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas.
This was confirmed by a source close to the national programme, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. According to the source, “the players have yet to receive their match fees since August, which was the Ethiopian international friendly. Basically, they have not been paid for Ethiopia, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Bahamas. At this rate, the players are not confident of being paid for the Puerto Rico games, which recently concluded.”
Despite featuring in five matches that encompassed the Ethiopia friendly and the 2023 Concacaf Nations League during the months of August, September, and October, the GFF has yet to compensate the Golden Jaguars roster for their match-day fees and has only partially paid them for their attendance in the respective training camps.
Guyana played Ethiopia [0-2] on August 2nd, while they contested matches against Antigua and Barbuda [5-1] on September 9th and the Bahamas [3-2] on September 12th. The Golden Jaguars also played Puerto Rico [3-1, 3-1] on October 14th and 17th, respectively.
Efforts to contact GFF General Secretary Ian Alves for a comment proved futile. Calls to his cell phone went unanswered until press time.
The Nations League September contract, which was signed by General Secretary Alves and seen in this publication, states under the caption “Concacaf Nations League 2023 Payments”: “Match Fee: Starter: 350 USD; Match Fee: Substitute Appearance: 250 USD; Match Fee: Unused Substitute: 150 USD; Win Bonus: 200 USD; Draw Bonus: 100 USD; Goal Bonus: 25 USD per goal (maximum bonus of 4 goals); Per Diem: All players: 50 USD per night for in-camp days.”
According to the above-mentioned document, the players were to receive their final payment on or prior to September 30, 2023.
For the Ethiopia International Friendly, the contract states under the caption “International Friendly vs. Ethiopia 2023 Payments”: “Match Fee: Starter: 100 USD; Match Fee: Substitute Appearance: 50 USD; Match Fee: Unused Substitute: 25 USD; Win Bonus: 50 USD; Draw Bonus: 25 USD; Goal Bonus: 10 USD per goal (maximum bonus of 4 goals); Per Diem: All players: 50 USD per night.” The final date of payment was pencilled for August 15th, 2023.
Meanwhile, for the October Nations League contract, which encompasses the Puerto Rico matches, the information is identical with the September contract, with the final date for payment pencilled in for Tuesday, October 31st, 2023.
