ISL 2018-19: Not paid in 2 months? We've received salaries, say FC Pune City's Robin Singh, Adil Khan
FC Pune City stars Robin Singh and Adil Khan deny rumours that the players have not received salaries for the last two months and claim they have indeed been paid by the club, which is reeling in financial distress.
A media report claimed that Pune City has not paid its players for the last two months and there was no clarity over when the players would receive their wages.
However, first-team players Robin Singh and Adil Khan confirmed to Sportskeeda that they have received their salaries. The players admitted a slight delay in the payment but rubbished the charge that they had not received their wages for the last 2 months.
"It's only a rumour saying that we've not been paid," Robin said. "Yes, there will be delays in a professional setup. Pune is no different. But I have been paid up to the mark (up to the date) and so have the other players."
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Focused on Super Cup - Pune City player Adil Khan
It isn't just Robin Singh who's saying the players have been paid. Teammate Adil Khan also echoed his views.
Adil Khan, one of the best defensive midfielders in the ISL, said: "It's untrue. the fact is that there was a small delay of 10 days which has been resolved and we have our salaries."
"I was a bit confused when I heard about the rumours surrounding Pune City. But I don't have anything official from the club and I know it's just a rumour.
"I know the club management is taking the right steps towards the club's development so I am not worried about these rumours. I have to focus on the preparations for the Super Cup."
Sometimes paid players 10 days in advance - Pune City CEO
Pune City CEO Gaurav Modwel vehemently disagrees with the charge that his players' salaries have not been disbursed for over 2 months.
While admitting to slight delays, Modwel said: "The fact is that in the entire season, we have never had a situation where players’ salary has been delayed for more than 20 days," Modwel said. "As a matter of fact, we have also sometimes paid them 10 days in advance. So whatever has been reported is untrue."
Pune City, who made the ISL semifinals last season, endured a disappointing ISL campaign and finished seventh with 22 points in 18 games.
The trouble started when Pune fired coach Miguel Angel Portugal after just 3 games in charge. The off-field problems with the parent company Wadhawan Holdings and their sponsors DHFL in the stock market reflected in the team's outings on the pitch. Pune showed promise in the last 6 games under new coach Phil Brown but they only stood a mathematical chance of making the ISL playoffs.
Now, the club's future is uncertain with reports stating that Pune are looking for investors and may move out of Maharashtra. But the players say they are focused on the job in hand, which is the Super Cup beginning from March 15 (Qualifiers).
"My first reaction to all these reports is that I don't think it's true. We have not been told anything (of that sort by the management). I have personally had a word with Gaurav Modwel sir and he has been honest about it. We are all back. Coaches have been asked to call us back and we're looking forward to training (for the Super Cup)," Robin, part of the Pune City resurgence under Brown, said.
"It's not in our hands what happens to the parent company. What I can say is that it hasn't affected us players. We have been professional and the club has been honest with us. We've been taken care of very well and there's no such negativity if I can sum it up in one word. We have been treated like professionals and everything has been up to the mark for us," Robin, who has 4 goals and 3 assists this season, added.