Government Owes Avram Grant for 10 Months in Salary and Bonuses

06.07.2024 | Football in my DNA

The Zambian government has not paid Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant’s salary for the past 10 months, amounting to a debt of US $120,000 (approximately K2.9 million). This debt also includes unpaid bonuses.

National women’s football team coach, Bruce Mwape, is in a similar predicament, continuing his duties without receiving a salary from the government. Mwape's payments come from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) while awaiting the finalization of a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and FAZ, which has not yet been actualized.

Grant, who signed a two-year contract with FAZ at a monthly salary of $25,000 (around K608,000), is supposed to receive $15,000 from FAZ and $10,000 from the government. However, these payments have not been fulfilled. Additionally, the government has not paid the Chipolopolo players their AfCON allowances from their last participation in San Pedro or their bonus for the final 2023 qualifying match against Comoros last September.

The government also owes FAZ approximately K20 million for expenses the association covered on its behalf. Grant has raised concerns with FAZ regarding the extended period without receiving his full salary, fearing he might follow the path of former coach Aljosa Asanovic, whose case is still pending at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sources within the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and Arts have expressed frustration, noting that debts to Grant, the players, and FAZ have become critical. They claim the ministry prioritizes smaller issues over these significant debts. A ministry source highlighted the problem, saying, "We don’t understand the direction we are taking now. While we are quick to blame the players for their failures at COSAFA, no one is asking how much we spent on the same team."

A letter from FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga to the Ministry of Sport's permanent secretary Kangwa Chileshe, dated June 10, 2024, expressed concern that Grant might initiate employment disputes due to the unpaid salaries. The letter detailed that Grant has not been paid for the months from October 2023 to May 2024, totaling US $120,000.

Despite the urgency of the matter, there has been no response from Chileshe regarding the ministry’s position on these issues. The situation remains unresolved, with players and coaches continuing to suffer from the financial neglect.

Credit: The Mast