Argentine football club Banfield is facing a deepening crisis, with players refusing to train due to unpaid wages. The squad's decision stems from three months of overdue salaries, exacerbating the club's already precarious financial situation. This action follows similar protests from club employees earlier in the week, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Financial Troubles Plague Banfield
The players' strike began on Saturday, with the team expected to resume training on Monday under the guidance of new coach Pedro Troglio. However, this return is contingent on club management addressing the outstanding debt, at least partially, to prevent further disruption.
Internal Conflicts and FIFA Sanctions
Banfield has been grappling with internal strife for weeks. Prior to the player strike, graffiti targeting club president Matías Mariotto and the board of directors appeared both inside and outside the club's premises. Furthermore, employees had already initiated their own protest due to unpaid wages, even impacting youth team training when laundry staff went on strike, leaving no clean uniforms available.
The club's financial woes extend beyond domestic issues. FIFA has imposed a transfer ban on Banfield due to a dispute with Club León of Mexico regarding the transfer of Nicolás Sosa Sánchez. This prevents Banfield from registering new players until a debt of $165,000 plus interest is settled.
- Players refuse to train due to unpaid wages (3 months overdue).
- Employees have also protested over unpaid salaries.
- FIFA transfer ban in place due to debt to Club León.
The situation at Banfield remains volatile, with the club's future uncertain unless immediate action is taken to resolve the financial crisis and address the concerns of players and staff.