Swiss club Sion have sacked nine players including former Arsenal stars Alex Song and Johan Djorou after they refused to take a paycut in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that is decimating the finances of clubs throughout Europe.
The country's league was halted indefinitely because of the outbreak which has severely hampered teams' abilities to bring in much needed revenue to continue paying their staff.
The SDA news agency and RSI television network both reported the dismissals which also include captain Xavier Kouassi, Pajtim Kasami, Ermir Lenjani, Seydou Doumbia, Mickael Facchinetti, Christian Zock and Birama Ndoye.
They said the players had refused to sign an agreement for a wage cut while the stoppage continues. The club did not confirm the dismissals and could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Swiss league was stopped on March 1 after the government banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
Sion are eighth in the 10-team Swiss Super League and only four points clear of the relegation place. There are 13 rounds of matches to play if the championship re-starts.
Sion president Christian Constantin has employed around 40 coaches since he took over the club in 2003, including himself for a short stint. Others have included current Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso.
In 2011, Sion were kicked out of the Europa League for fielding an ineligible player and took their case to a local civil court, infringing FIFA statutes.
Two years ago, the club was banned from European football for one season over a transfer debt with another club and in the same year Constantin was banned for 14 months, later reduced to nine, for slapping a television pundit.
cedbnprsy
0
arteta exchange ozil and pjanic, sell aub then buy zaha exchange lac and part cdm atletic, sell xhaka, mustaf, Cedric.
Alibaba2020
0
He was never one of the best in England, that's abit dramatic lol
My brother in is time in England he is one of the best
the_Profe55or
2
Like they said; Greed goes before a Sack!
DrFranckeinstein
4
Maybe if Alexandre Song stayed there at Arsenal under Wenger for a longer period of time he would have been surely a great Premier league player by now. His decision of going to Barcelona + his overconfidence and his dirty show at the world cup 2014 destroyed his career
Hesiorsuy
0
He was never one of the best in England, that's abit dramatic lol
He was. Just that he played for the team you don’t like. If he wasn’t one of the best,,, then tell us why Barça bought him..
loydmst
2
Alex Song is greedy and jealous of Eto. He is probably a boy poorly brought up. He is a very fine player but damage it through arrogant. Look at the club he is now playing. He should retired.
Vekadiksz
1
It’s better to sack them and pay what you owe than incur extra costs and be unable to pay. These as tough times and clubs rely on games and faved to make money to pay that players. The current Siria m situation is no ones fault but we must all be caring. What would you do as a business owner?
sacking these many players would do lot more damage than you think. first you pay the rest of their contracts at a later point in time after all the fuss. then, starting to fill the void left by those players will incur extra cost. what if the season has to be completed and can't bring in any new players cus it's not the transfer window. they're already fighting relegation and losing too many players at this point of time. the club should know better than to sack players.
Kuwbdluy
0
Wow Alex song one of the best midfield in England before but bcoz of is greedy look what he now turn to, I'm sorry to say Brō😂😂😂
He was never one of the best in England, that's abit dramatic lol
GlaneChlorous
2
they want alot of money.
Alibaba2020
6
Wow Alex song one of the best midfield in England before but bcoz of is greedy look what he now turn to, I'm sorry to say Brō😂😂😂
FaithEvans
0
It’s better to sack them and pay what you owe than incur extra costs and be unable to pay. These as tough times and clubs rely on games and faved to make money to pay that players. The current Siria m situation is no ones fault but we must all be caring. What would you do as a business owner?
See, if a player has 4yrs left on his contract and u sack him for a non-sporting reason, u have to pay the remaining wages for the 4yrs in full, isn't that what you're trying to avoid?... if u refuse, he takes you to court for contract breach, if u lose, you'll have to pay more money... if I was the owner, I won't talk about taking a paycut, I'll ask that a percentage of their wages be shifted forward, cuz players don't joke with money, at all! and after the crisis, they'll be fully reimbursed...
DanielEtele
0
What kind of nonsense is this? how many clubs are forcing players to take paycuts?... are you not going to pay up the remaining money on their contracts if u sack them and probably be sued for wrongful dismissal?... was there any stipulations in the original contract signed that the players would have to take a paycut for something that's not there faults?... the President is just trying to show his power and I hope he fully regrets it! what a dunce!
It’s better to sack them and pay what you owe than incur extra costs and be unable to pay. These as tough times and clubs rely on games and faved to make money to pay that players. The current Siria m situation is no ones fault but we must all be caring. What would you do as a business owner?
Charlesugwu
2
The president just confirmed their relegation. He has mismanaged the club for too long a time
FaithEvans
3
What kind of nonsense is this? how many clubs are forcing players to take paycuts?... are you not going to pay up the remaining money on their contracts if u sack them and probably be sued for wrongful dismissal?... was there any stipulations in the original contract signed that the players would have to take a paycut for something that's not there faults?... the President is just trying to show his power and I hope he fully regrets it! what a dunce!
Eiegooners76
1
Like most footballers greed takes over!!
sekcdikns
18
Some people are just too greedy, they need to consider how little the income the club is being limited to. Health first.
jiebprtuz
2
Swiss aren’t serious with there football they can’t pay players like that