Galatasaray players strike over wage dispute

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Players from the Superliga club decided not to train, protesting the payment of foreign players’ wages while those of Turkish players remained unpaid. According to the state-run Anatolian news agency, the club has been suffering from financial hardships and, as a result, many players have not been paid for four months.

Players held a meeting before deciding to skip a morning practice session. They returned later in the day. “I don't think the players are in the wrong. But we in the management are doing what is necessary. We are trying to find the money,” club deputy chairman Ergun Gursoy said on Anatolian.

It’s not the first time players had openly expressed their displeasure. Last December, there were plans to boycott a training session in January after the club failed to pay the players as promised. The players followed through on their threat this time after hearing reports that Croatian defender Stjepan Tomas and Serbian midfielder Sasa Ilic had been paid.

“That's the way things are in Turkey. Foreign players are always made the priority on this issue. Why do they get paid before us? Don't we do the same job?” the CNN Turk website quoted striker Necati Ates Necati as saying. Last year, the club planned on raising funds through the sale of real estate the club owned. However, that plan was put on hold at a general meeting in December. Additionally, the club plays at a dilapidated stadium in Istanbul, a fact that has directed more criticism at the club for failing to upgrade its facilities or make plans for a new stadium.