Overcoming Grievances

As the new season gets underway, all stakeholders must examine last season's failures and address them decisively to ensure greater triumphs this time. Persistent grievances; from subvention shortfalls, disputes in ticket profit divisions as well as struggles with regular payment of players’ salaries are among the challenges that marred last season.

Subvention Issues

The government's announcement of FCFA 560 million as subvention to support the country's professional clubs last season should have been welcome news, but it ignited controversy instead. Key questions emerged: will the funds be paid directly to the clubs or would it have to pass through the federation? These disputes consumed valuable time that clubs could have devoted to clearing players' salary arrears and enhancing their overall welfare. Separately, the FCFA 48 million subvention earmarked for Elite One clubs has generated its own headaches ever since its announcement. Some clubs received full payments, while others got nothing or only partial amounts. Sources attribute this to their failure to provide proof of how previously received funds were managed. For the league to thrive, these subvention disputes must be handled transparently and efficiently.

Distribution of Ticket, Advertising Revenues

Last season featured ugly scenes of arguments over how to split stadium ticket revenue. The MTN Elite One and Two regulations remain vague on this critical distribution formula. Unofficial reports indicate that home clubs could pocket as much as 70 per cent of ticket proceeds this time around. According to the regulations, television and broadcasting rights, on the one hand, and advertising revenue inside and outside stadiums along with the use of official symbols, on the other, must be covered by separate contracts. These are freely negotiated between FECAFOOT and commercial partners for...