The management of Nigeria Premier Football League side, Heartland FC of Owerri has ratified placing the players on half salaries until further notice.
In a statement made available to our correspondent the club General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu stated that due to the poor performance of the club in the NPFL this season which culminated in their disgraceful home loss to Plateau United on Wednesday, the club has no choice than to place the players on half salary.
The Owerri side were beaten 5-1 at home for the first time in their history by more ambitious Plateau United, and Nwachukwu who watched the game dejectedly at the Awka City Stadium on Wednesday evening said the players should take responsibilities for the loss which has tarnished the image and the impressive records of the club in the country and even beyond.
He said the players do not have excuses to lose the way they did and has directed non performing players to step up or risk further sanctions as enshrined in the contracts they individually signed; that poor performance would not be tolerated and be met with stiff sanctions.
“The club management has decided to slash the salaries of the players by half as from now henceforth until the team’s performance improves,” Nwachukwu told the club’s media.
“I was just deeply rooted to one spot after the game yesterday and was the last to leave the stadium because I could not have envisaged the poor performance the players exhibited against Plateau United. They played as if nothing was at stake and as If they were bereft of ideas.
“In all my time at the club, I have never seen a time Heartland FC played so poorly. This is beyond coaching issue and it is time the players take the blame for the defeat and try to redeem their image with a win against Sunshine Stars on Sunday.
“The task to keep Heartland FC in the topflight is the job of all. It is our desire to have players who are proud to play for what the badge represents and its rich history right from Spartans to Iwuanyanwu Nationale and what we are known as now, Heartland FC.”
