2023 Women's World Cup: South Africa players in open dispute with federation president
South Africa: players on strike ahead of the World Cup. They want more transparency over bonuses.
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With less than three weeks to go until the Women's World Cup, South Africa are in troubled waters. The players are locked in a dispute with the president of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan. Banyana Banyana are demanding greater clarity over their World Cup bonuses. They have also protested against the state of the pitch at Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni, where they are preparing for the tournament. It was there that they were due to face Botswana in a friendly on Sunday 02 July. However, the players decided to boycott the match. Furious, SAFA president Danny Jordan took action. He first sent the 20 rebel players home. He then simply put together a new squad to take on Botswana. The result: the South Africans lost 5-0.
Sports minister steps in as mediator
Faced with this open dispute, sports minister Zizi Kodwa has stepped in to put out the fire. He will meet the country's players' union (SAFPU). He said in a statement: " We are 18 days away from the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup on 20 July 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. It has been brought to my attention that serious concerns have been raised by Banyana Banyana, the South African women's national football team, and that these have been brought to the attention of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the South African Football Players' Union. (SAPFU) ", he noted at the outset.
Zizi Kodwa went on: "I will meet SAFPU on Tuesday to hear the serious concerns raised by the team. This meeting will aim to examine issues relating to the government's commitment and support to the team, working, welfare and health conditions of the team, including transparency and accountability linked to the signing of contracts ". Whatever the scale of the disagreements, a solution must be found quickly. South Africa are due to fly out to Oceania on Wednesday 05 July. The African champions begin their World Cup campaign on 23 July against Sweden. In Group G, the African champions will also face Argentina and Italy.
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