Sign-on- fees: Dolphins’ players embark on strike

Players of Dolphins FC have embarked on indefinite strike action to demand for payment of their long overdue sign-on fees.

Camp sources hinted that the players down tools on Tuesday and have not returned to the pitch since then.

“Yes, we are on strike, we have stopped training since Tuesday” said the source.

“We were at the Government House last month (September) and the Secretary to state government addressed, he promised that we will get a substantial part of the sign-on fees before the end of September now we are in October and nothing has happened we might have to stage another protest walk to the Government House.”

For many, the strike action the club’s title chase this season as they in the finals of the Federations Cup and are also placed third on the NPFL log.

Meanwhile, General Manager of the team, Joe Johnson, made the appeal to the players, urging them to return ahead of Sunday’s clash with Abia Warriors.

“They have a genuine case, but we have done so well this season so I ask them to return because I do not think the sponsor who gave them a date has forgotten his promise,” Johnson said.

Johnson adds that he has held a series of meetings with the players and believes that something good will happen but cannot tell when.

“My worry is that we are at a critical stage of the league and we have a tough game against Enyimba in the Federation Cup final.

“I am believing that something will happen, just that I cannot tell how soon.”

Johnson adds that while appealing to the players to return to training, he is doing same to the sponsors of the club too.

“I have appealed to the sports commissioner, Fred Igwe who has reassured me that very soon something will come,” Johnson enthused.

“He says he is in touch with the authorities which I believe to be government house so we are hopeful.”