Addressing the fact that two-thirds of
Cameroon's local footballers do not have a copy of their contract is a primary
concern, says the head of the country's players' union.
Sixty-five
per cent of players in Cameroon lack such a contract, the worst figure out of
54 nations surveyed by global union FIFPro.
"When
you sign a contract, you need to get a copy of your contract - otherwise, you have
no rights," said GeremiNjitap.
The former Cameroon international, who was
elected president of the players' union in November, fears the issue could aid
match-fixing and player trafficking.
"It
is not fair that footballers sign contracts but don't have (a copy of) their
contracts," said the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder.
"They
have no legal protection. This is one of the major problems for these players.
"This
is one of my priorities - to solve this problem."
Close
behind Cameroon when it comes to the number of players lacking a contract copy
are Ivory Coast, home to the reigning African champions, and Gabon - with 60%
of players in both countries saying they suffer in this way.
Tuesday's
FIFPro survey underscored a raft of problems for the African game, including
widespread contract issues, late payments, job insecurity as well as the threat
to players of abuse and match-fixing.
Over
half the players based in Africa reported payment delays, a figure that rises
to 96% in Gabon, the country which will host January's Africa Cup of Nations.
In
Cameroon, it is 85% and Geremi is concerned by the implications.
"When
you don't pay salaries, there will be attempts by those who try to corrupt
players to influence the result of the game," continued the 37-year-old.
"I'm
talking about match-fixing. It's important that players have their salaries.
Otherwise, they will be tempted.
"Most
of the players have responsibilities. Their families count on them."
In
DR Congo, where nearly nine in 10 players said they did not have a written
contract, 56% of players claimed they were aware of match-fixing in the league.
The
country also suffered the highest number of attacks on players by other players
and fans.
Ghana,
meanwhile, reported the greatest incidents of physical abuse by club officials.
Speaking
on condition of anonymity, one local player said this was a result of attempted
extortion in a country reporting the lowest rate of pay in the survey.
"Yes,
I have seen such a thing - players attacked by management, attacked by a coach
- because in Ghanaian football, the financial rewards are low, so everybody
thinks about themselves," he said.
"If
a player has a contract with the club, a lot of people in the club - like the
management, and maybe some of the coaches - would like to get something from
the player because they have a contract.
"And
if they don't get anything, they will start attacking them."
Ghana are four-time winners of the Nations
Cup and have appeared at every World Cup since 2006, but the national squad is
regularly composed of players outside the domestic league.
Both
the anonymous player and Geremi were also troubled by the tendency of African
clubs to overlook players' welfare once they get injured.
They
say that instead of offering support, clubs simply look to find replacements.
"At
most clubs in Ghana, if you are injured you are forgotten," says the
Ghanaian. "They will need a new player and if that player is lucky to play
well, then you are out - finished."
"Unfortunately,
this is the case in most of Africa," says Geremi.
"Once
you are not playing any more, a club president will try to sign another player
- which is not fair.
"For
the owners, it is like paying someone who is not doing anything. They forget to
respect the contract, which is not normal. This is the kind of issue we fight
every day."
The
Cameroonian believes that the raft of problems in Africa's leagues pushes many
to travel to Europe, where they often fail to succeed.
"When
you go to Europe, you see these players on the streets so if you organise the
leagues well in Africa, you will not see a lot of younger players in Europe
without teams," added two-time Nations Cup winner Geremi.
Pic
Geremi wants to ensure players are treated
fairly in Cameroon
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