FAWUZ SECURES US$9,000 (K243, 000) PAYOUT FOR FORMER BUILDCON FC PLAYER GILROY CHIMWEMWE THROUGH FIFA PLAYERS FUND
FOOTBALL’s governing body FIFA has awarded Zimbabwean national Gilroy Chimwemwe a payment of US$9,000 (K243,000) owed by his former club Buildcon FC which is in liquidation.
This is in a case filed before FIFA where the Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) successfully represented Chimwemwe in seeking payment from his total claim of US$21,600 owed to him by his defunct former club.
The payment was made from the FIFA Players Fund, a special fund by the world football mother body aimed at helping players in distress and those whose clubs were not able to pay the players that are owed.
Welcoming the payment made on 14th November, 2024, Chimwemwe expressed appreciation for the help rendered by FAWUZ to recover his dues.
“I would love to thank the Union for helping me and for them giving me a chance to work with them and tell other players that if they have a problem with their club they should be going to FAWUZ to ask for help because they're there to help us as players. I really appreciate the effort,” said Chimwemwe.
And FAWUZ General Secretary Joe Kaunda said: “This is another victory for footballers. As FAWUZ we want to assure all our members that we will stand by them and fight to ensure that they are duly compensated for their services even in circumstances where their clubs have shut down.We went the FIFA route and now Gilroy has received a payment even when his former club is defunct."
He said despite the matter having taken long, justice had finally been served.
Chimwemwe had earlier through FAWUZ filed a claim of US$21,600 against Buildcon FC after the club had failed to pay him during his contract term forcing FIFA to sanction the club against registration of new players.
The premier league club was relegated, and subsequently went into liquidation while Chimwemwe’s claim remained unpaid a development that prompted FAWUZ to escalate the matter to FIFA seeking the player’s compensation for services rendered to Buildcon FC.
