Boavista players threaten strike action over unpaid wages

Black Panthers latest club to hit payroll problems

It appears that Estrela da Amadora is not the only club that has not paid its players for some time. The Boavista squad have come out and protested against the fact that they have not received salaries in more than two months.

As a result, the players are threatening to strike should the club not come up with the money by April 18.

The Boavista squad gathered at a local hotel with the Portuguese Professional Footballers Union president, Joaquim Evangeslita, to plead their case and set a deadline of the end of next week to be paid wages in arrears. The players have yet to receive payment for the months of February and March, plus 60% of December’s salaries.

None of the payers talked to the media regarding the decision and allowed Evangelista to be their spokesperson. “This situation has occurred because the players are tired of their bosses’ broken promises. In spite of various proposals and promises to solve the issue, to date nothing has happened.”

“Boavista are a successful club and that is due to the hard work of these players and their coach. Their professionalism cannot be brought into question or the respect they have for everyone involved and their willingness to continue to represent Boavista.”

Evangelista added that the players will continue to train but that strike action will be considered if back payments haven’t been received by 18 April.

Ribeiro hits back at president

If this were not bad enough, star player Jorge Ribeiro was forced to defend himself after president, Joaquim Teixeira, criticised the Portugal international for his penalty miss in the first half of Boavista’s scoreless draw against Benfica on Sunday.

The president seemed to suggest that as Ribeiro is expected to join the Eagles in the close season he may have missed the spot kick on purpose.

“The president has nothing to accuse me of. I always give everything I have on the field for Boavista. I have 8 goals and 6 assists this season and played to the best of my ability on Sunday.” Ribeiro has enjoyed a brilliant season thus far and put in another solid display on the weekend, making the president’s words even more surprising.


Related: Tension rises as Estrela da Amadora squad go unpaid again