In a dramatic turn of events, the first team players of Real Tamale United (RTU) have declared a boycott of their upcoming match against Dreams FC due to unresolved issues regarding unpaid wages.
The match, scheduled for this afternoon, will now feature unregistered players hastily assembled to fill in the gaps left by the absent first team.RTU, currently languishing at the bottom of the league with just 31 points, has been grappling with financial difficulties for months.
The players allege that they have not received their salaries for the past months, and despite multiple assurances from the club’s administration, the funds have not materialized, leading to growing frustration among the squad.
In an interview with Accra based Asempa fm, deputy captain Baba Kushibo expressed regret but says it is a collective decision taken in the best interest of the team. “We have shown patience and professionalism, but the continuous delays in our wages have left us with no other choice but to take this drastic step.
We regret any inconvenience caused to our fans and the league but hope this action will prompt the club to address our grievances promptly.” RTU’s management, caught off guard by the boycott, has scrambled to field a team for today’s match.
Sources within the club reveal that a mixture of lower division side Galaxy fc members and local amateur players have been enlisted to wear the RTU jersey against Dreams FC. The Ghana Premier League, which oversees the matches, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the situation.
However, the league’s rules stipulate strict penalties for teams failing to field a team for scheduled matches, including possible fines and point deductions.
Fans and pundits alike have expressed concern over the broader implications of this boycott. As the clock ticks closer to kickoff, all eyes will be on RTU to see how their makeshift team performs under these extraordinary circumstances.
Story Rafiq Abdulai
