PLE CLUBS’ DEBTS DOWN TO E1.5M
MBABANE – There has been a slight decrease in the amounts that clubs owe the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).
This is according to the 2024/25 PLE Management financial report released by the organisation last Friday. The budget was adopted during the continuation of their Ordinary General Assembly (OGA) at Sigwaca House. The financial report showed that as of June 30, 2024, the organisation was owed E2 086 205 in total by three entities. These were the 28 clubs, Eswatini Television Authority (ESTVA) and Eswatini Football Association (EFA).
However, the overall debt for last season increased compared to the 2022/23 season. The total amount of money owed to PLE stood at E2 517 871 yet it was at E3 029 256 at the end of the 2021/22 season. However, a significant portion of the debts in the recently-ended season was from clubs, who still owe E1 526 205. The report does not specify how the teams accumulated these bills. During the 2022/23 season, 45 clubs owed the Polycarp Dlamini-led organisation E1 809 639. Besides the 28 PLE affiliates, there were 17 ‘ghost’ clubs, which had lost their PLE membership. Ghosts clubs refer to those that have lost affiliation to the PLE.
Fines
The 2022/23 season financial report states that this sum was accumulated from team loans and fines. At the end of the 2021/22 season, teams owed PLE E2 271083. It is worth noting that two seasons ago; PLE introduced a rule that it would automatically deduct a certain percentage of the teams’ prize money and divert it towards the settlement of their debts. The organisation is also encouraging clubs to come forward and propose ways to settle their debts. Furthermore, the report notes that PLE credit stood at E298 551.07 at the close of the season. Part of the credit included Ingwenyama Cup and MTN League individual prizes, which were to be released pending their presentation ceremonies. PLE Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Vilakati confirmed the discussion of the 2023/24 season financials, as well as the budget for the upcoming season. These were adopted, and teams are expected to start receiving them today, according to Vilakati.
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