The contract dispute between Orlando Pirates and Monnapule Saleng has reached a boiling point, with the 26-year-old forward reportedly in a “stay-away” from the club due to unmet salary expectations. Saleng’s dissatisfaction stems from disagreements over his pay, which has created tension between him and the Soweto giants. Adding fuel to the fire, Pirates triggered a two-year extension on Saleng’s contract, originally set to expire in June, complicating the already heated situation.
Cassisa’s Bold Proposal: Rethink Football Contracts
In light of the ongoing saga, experienced agent Gary Cassisa has proposed a revolutionary solution that could reshape football contract negotiations. Cassisa suggests that football clubs follow rugby’s lead by removing “option” clauses in player contracts, which often give clubs the power to extend deals without the player’s agreement.
“Unless there’s a buy-out clause or a fixed transfer fee, clubs essentially have carte blanche when it comes to asking for transfer fees,” Cassisa said on Mike Morton Talks Football. His idea aims to bring more structure and fairness to player negotiations, creating clearer expectations for both players and clubs. “If we get rid of these options, player negotiations and transfers would be much more structured and simpler,” he added.
The Dark Side of Contract “Options”
A major point of contention in the Saleng situation is the use of “option” clauses, which often favor clubs and leave players with limited control over their futures. Cassisa has criticized the power imbalance these clauses create. “When players don’t want to commit to a new contract, clubs often sideline them—stopping them from playing or training. That’s ridiculous!” Cassisa remarked. “You’re paying a player to do his job, not to sit on the sidelines. If a player wants to move on, let him go.”
Cassisa’s comments reflect growing frustration within the football community over how clubs manipulate contracts to control players’ futures.
What’s Next for Saleng?
Saleng’s dissatisfaction is about more than just his salary; reports suggest that he has received offers from international clubs during his time at Pirates, but the club has allegedly turned down those opportunities. This has led to speculation that Pirates may look to sell Saleng in the upcoming transfer window rather than keep an unhappy player.
The future of Saleng remains uncertain, and it’s unclear whether Pirates will resolve the issue and keep him, or if they will move on and sell the Bafana Bafana forward.
Cassisa’s proposal to eliminate “options” in football contracts could be a game-changer for the industry. By creating more structured and fair negotiations, clubs would be held accountable and forced to treat players more equitably. For now, Saleng’s saga highlights the need for change in the way football contracts are negotiated and enforced.
