Covid-19: Ajayi, Ahly Players Face Pay Cut - Latest Sports in Nigeria

Ajayi, Ahly Players Face Pay Cut

By Sampson Adedeji

The management of Egyptian giant Al Ahly are already in talks with Nigeria's Super Eagles striker Junior Ajayi and his teammates over pay cut.

Football activity in Egypt has been suspended since 14 March after the government decided to tighten measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, BSN Reports

According to football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz who insisted that cutting salaries has become necessary amid the worldwide coronavirus crisis.

"I had a meeting with the team's senior players to inform them about the current situation to avoid seeing them surprised if a decision was taken concerning wage cuts," Abdel-Hafiz said on TV channel on Wednesday

Several former players said the sport's leading stars, especially those playing for prominent clubs like Ahly and Zamalek, should take the initiative; while, Ittihad of Alexandria President Mohamed Moselhi called on players of the Egyptian League to show solidarity with their clubs.

"Reducing players' salaries is now essential because of the suspension of football activities and the clubs' financial crisis that may oblige some of them to go bankrupt," added Abdel-Hafiz.

Earlier in April, the Egyptian Football Association launched an initiative to support players in the third and fourth divisions amid the coronavirus crisis, stressing that all "football stars, Premier League clubs and all football fans" are welcome to contribute to help their counterparts.