By David Gold
February 21 – Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) President Manuel Burga (pictured) is in Zurich to discuss with FIFA a players’ strike which has left the country’s first division in chaos.
A number of teams were forced to play weakened teams in the first round of fixtures in the championship last weekend after first team players went on strike over wages owed to them by their clubs.
The strike was called by the Peruvian Players’ Union (SAFAP), who took the action in response to a proposal from the league which they did not think acceptable.
Since the weekend’s strike action, San Martin, one of the few clubs without serious financial difficulties, threatened to shut themselves down after their players joined strike action in sympathy with their fellow professionals.
As a result, Burga will discuss the issue with FIFA officials.
Contrary to widespread reports FIFA did not specifically ask Burga to travel to Zurich, as he is already there for his role on the world governing body’s Statutes Task Force, which is meeting today.
He will however discuss the issues with FIFA, insideworldfootball understands, while SAFAP chief Francesco Manassero argued that the players had been left with little choice other than to carry out the strike.
“They gave us no way out,” he told Blanco y Negro.
“If we let them decide the amount [of the debts] and how much they should pay us were going to be waiting until the end of time.
“We cannot allow the players to be mistreated.
“Here it seems normal to owe four or five months wages and to want to refinance that in two years.”
According to SAFAP, $4 million (£2.5 million/€3 million) is owed by 10 clubs to more than 200 players in Peru.
Regulations prevent Peruvian teams beginning a league season if they owe money to players or have not come to an agreement with SAFAP.
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