The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) have responded to reports about the Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic’s unpaid dues.
The football governing body paid tribute to the immense efforts of ‘Micho’ in helping Uganda qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 38 years and confirmed unpaid salaries to the coach as currently number one priority in an official statement.
FUFA Statement on Coach Micho https://t.co/BCOlcRYph4 @MosesMagogo
— Uganda FA [FUFA] (@OfficialFUFA) September 8, 2016
FUFA statement on coach Micho’s unpaid salaries and bonuses #PayMicho pic.twitter.com/NWIhloHilG
— NBS Television (@nbstv) September 8, 2016
According to Daily monitor ,Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic is demanding about Shs235m in unpaid salary and add-ons just after leading Uganda to their first Nations Cup finals due in Gabon next year.
The report further reveals that FUFA owe the Serbian five months in salary arrears amounting to $60,000 (Shs203m). With entitled air tickets back home at least once a year, salary arrears and match bonuses, the total equates to Shs235m.
The FUFA statement further emphasizes that Coach Micho’s unpaid dues are currently FUFA’s number one priority and the federation is doing everything in its means to raise the funds needed to clear the outstanding amount.
This will be a relief to the Ugandans who earlier raised concerns on the failure of FUFA to pay coach Micho.
Micho had threatened to drag the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to court after what he term to be ‘shameful lies about his duly earned & deserved unpaid salaries.’
Due to shameful lies about my duly earned&deserved unpaid salaries I’m forced to take swift legal action while continuing professional job
— Michocoach (@michocoach) September 7, 2016
#Micho Drags #FUFA To court over Pay https://t.co/jGPX9b8bfO #PayMicho pic.twitter.com/2tKJT0rLyb
— Red Pepper Uganda (@RedPepperUG) September 8, 2016
According to an article in the eastafrikadaily titled; Row Deepens as ‘Uganda Cranes’ Coach Threatens to Sue Football Body over $70,000 in Unpaid Salary Arrears– details of the total arrears are indicated.
Fans Reactions to Micho’s unpaid dues
Tweets about #PayMicho
The delay in payment of the national team coach is attributed to the costly AFCON 2017 qualification campaign in which FUFA prioritised all the meagre resources at its disposal to facilitate requirements for the success of the team and campaign.
FUFA’s defense is that over the last 2 months alone, coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has been paid three times and received all his bonus and allowances entitlements for the AFCON 2017 campaign just like the rest of the team members.
Details about the ongoing contract between FUFA and cranes coach were not revealed but the federation stated that they have held meetings to resolve the matter.
With FUFA coming out to clarify on the ongoing dispute concerning Micho’s unpaid dues, it’s a move in the right direction and promises to be resolved soon.
Micho’s arrears
Five-month salary: $60,000 (Shs203m)
Matches where coach is owed (@2000 USD)
17/10/15: Uganda 2 – 0 Sudan (Chan)
25/10/15: Sudan 0 – 2 Uganda (Chan)
12/11/15: Togo 0 – 1 Uganda (WCQ)
15/11/15: Uganda 3 – 0 Togo (WCQ)
Total bonuses owed to Micho: $8000 (27m)
Air Tickets: $1600 (5.4m)
Total arrears: Shs235m