Cash Paucity Hits Heartland FC

Last season’s runner-up in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) is currently facing a financial crisis in spite of fund being made available by its sole financier, the Imo State government recently.
Naijaligue.blogspot.com understands that the club got the sum of N200 million from the Imo State government few days ago to pay for the outstanding match bonuses and allowances of the players.
The sum was released before CAF Champions League match against Monomotapa of Zimbabwe on August 2 in Owerri, Imo State.
Since the N200 million got into the possession of the club, it has been one tale to another and players and some officials of the club are unhappy with the state of affairs in the camp of the CAF Champions League campaigning side.
An official of the club called our correspondent to inform him that the management of Naze Millionaires is already short of cash to complete the payment of its playing and backroom staff.
Many of the players complained about being short-changed in the payment of their signing-on fees and that has led to some of the players facing a few members of the management of the club to demand explanation on the variation in payment to players.
The payment to the players, according to our source, had to be graded since the club still needs fund to prosecute its campaign in the ongoing CAF Champions League.
“The players are not happy about the way the management have handled the money issue. Most of them confronted the management and demanded that they explain how the slash in money came about. They were told that the cash was insufficient to pay everyone and that is why they had to pay the way they did,” naijaligue.blogspot.com was informed.
Now the cash palaver at the club could lead it to the doorstep of the world soccer governing body, FIFA, as one of its players is threatening it for failing to meet its contractual agreement.
Bulgarian player, Peter Stanev, who joined the side last season, is angry that the club still owes him $15,000 of his salaries after Heartland FC was able to pay $8,000.
Stanev, whose contract has expired since August 3, wants to return to his country and is demanding that the management of Heartland FC completes the payment of his outstanding money.
“The Bulgarian is really angry and wants to leave. But he cannot leave except he is paid the money that the club is owing him. Heartland currently owe him $15,000,” our correspondent was told.