The salary claim by the football players sector is still standing, but it advanced one step: the Uruguayan Mutual of Professional Soccer Players (MUFP) will meet in an assembly to review the proposal of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF)which was viewed favorably by the captains and leaders of first and second division.
He Executive committee of the AUF presented captains and soccer players from the first and second divisions of the sport with a proposal that, apparently, seemed to convince the workers. The next step will be a call for a assembly where the Uruguayan Mutual of Professional Soccer Players participates.
20 days of conflict
The conflict that has stopped professional activity in the Uruguayan soccer It’s been 20 days now, after the Mutual of Professional Soccer Players of Uruguay declared unemployment after more than two years of negotiation with the Uruguayan Football Association for the creation of a new statute for the sector.
The measure was taken after the meeting of the Professional League Council where the new player statute with which they hoped to improve the salary conditions of the Second Division players of Uruguayan soccer was not voted on.
The keys to the claim
The players ask that the minimum salary for the Second Division equivalent to 62.5% of the minimum salary of the First Professional Division, which is 59,060 nominal pesos. Currently, that salary floor is 29,538 pesos. Although the AUF board is paying this increase, Mutual intends for the adjustment to be agreed upon in writing. Meanwhile, some “B” clubs affirm that they would not be able to pay the new salaries, and others in First Division question whether the money comes from the coffers of the AUF —and, therefore, of all the clubs.
On the other hand, the situation became even more complicated when the Union of Clubs —made up of Peñarol, Defensor Sporting, Danubio, Liverpool, Cerro, Cerro Largo, Fénix, River Plate and Wanderers— made it a condition for approving the statute that the Professional League Uruguay, in an action with political intentions recognized and the search for changes in the income distribution between the different clubs. Here there are new discrepancies, since the smaller clubs demand a greater participation.
The opinions of the parties
The AUF resident, Ignacio Alonso, understands that “the proposal is clear, it has no impact on the clubs’ economies and it has been ready to vote for at least three weeks.” The problem is that some issues continue to generate conflicts internal: among them, the reduction of the percentage on which youth players are hired – from 18 to 21 or under 18 -, injury insurance and that the scope of application of the statute is men’s football.
Meanwhile, the clubs that function as sports corporations (SAD) —Plaza Colonia, Deportivo Maldonado, Boston River, Racing, Montevideo City Torque and La Luz— agree with the increase to 62.5% of the “B” salary as long as the strike is lifted and, additionally, established 45 days to negotiate the rest of the points of the Statute. They also propose discussing the League at a later time, although there are disagreements about its scope and functioning. National, which is not part of the Union of Clubs, shares this position.
Source: Ambito