Olimpija has responded to insinuations about a ‘revolt’ in the locker room regarding European bonuses: Those who have them in their contracts will receive them

Published on 16. December 2023 16. December 2023

Photo: NK Olimpija Ljubljana

Olimpija will pay European bonuses to its footballers. However, only to those who have it stipulated in their contracts. Ambiguous message? Certainly. Especially considering that the agreement on bonuses for playing in the Conference League was reportedly made afterward when all contracts were already signed…

Nevertheless, the leadership of the Ljubljana club responded to both media reports and the press conference held by the SPINS union, where Dejan Stefanović threatened that virtually all players of the Ljubljana club could demand an early termination of their contracts with their employer.

Statement by NK Olimpija Ljubljana:

On December 15, 2023, a tendentious article titled “SPINS: Olimpija could lose all footballers” was published online.

Regarding the article, we state the following:

- The players of NK Olimpija are among the highest-paid players in the Slovenian Premier League. NK Olimpija regularly pays the contracted salaries and bonuses.
- NK Olimpija provides players with working conditions, health care, physiotherapy, and other conditions that are on par with major European clubs.
- NK Olimpija will fairly pay all players who have a contractually agreed reward for participation in European competitions.

Regarding the statements made by the president of SPINS, we categorically declare that NK Olimpija does not hinder any player from engaging in union activities as it is their constitutional right. At the same time, it should be clear to everyone, including representatives of SPINS, that the facilities of NK Olimpija can only be used by prior agreement with the club’s authorities and not by the dictate of union officials.

Regarding the statements by the president of SPINS about terminating the contracts of players with NK Olimpija, we state that each player has the possibility and right to propose the termination of a valid contract for playing professional football in accordance with the contract, rules of the Football Association of Slovenia, UEFA, FIFA, and of course, our conditions.

In this regard, it is also necessary to reflect on the “true” role of SPINS. NK Olimpija welcomes the union’s role in ensuring contractual obligations to the players. However, it raises the question whether the role of the union also involves the destruction of football clubs and consequently Slovenian football by threatening the termination of all players’ contracts in a club, one of the few in Slovenia that regularly meets contractual obligations. We believe this is ultimately a question for the Football Association of Slovenia, our umbrella organization, whose every act NK Olimpija consistently respects.

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet