'We are left with no other option' - Limerick FC players threaten to go on strike over unpaid wages

Former Limerick FC midfielder Sean Russell

Aidan Fitzmaurice

May 16 2019 01:33 PM

The players from First Division side Limerick FC say at they have been left with "no option" other than to threaten to go on strike over unpaid wages and expenses.

Limerick, who went through financial problems last season, have been unable to meet their commitments to the squad this term. Limerick player Sean Russell has also gone public on his issues with the club, where he says he has been left personally liable for a bill of €4,500 for an essential operation and a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Russell.

But today the Limerick squad issued a statement via the PFAI, outlining their intent to strike if payments are not brought up to date.

"It has been well documented over a long period of time, the late payment and player welfare issues which we as players have experienced at Limerick FC," the statement said.

"We met with our representatives, the PFA Ireland, two weeks ago to express our frustration and we have decided as a team to take the decision to ballot for strike action today. This ballot returned a unanimous verdict and we will now serve strike notice on the club and if payments which fall due in the future are also not honoured then we will have no option but to take the last resort of going on strike.

"We have received numerous false promises to date of payment schedules from the club with the latest telling us that our wages/expenses for April will be paid on 23 May, 3 weeks late.

"There are still outstanding wages and expenses due to some players for March and currently the players are paying their own physio bills. The players are also fearing what will happen to them if they sustain any serious injury and if the appropriate rehab/ operation will be available to them.

"We hope the supporters, players and other clubs will appreciate that this action will only be taken if we are left with no other option."