Monrovia – The air in the small footballing town of Ballsh is thick with contention as FK Apolonia, a club with aspirations beyond its modest stature, finds itself at the center of a significant dispute.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
In response to recent reports alleging that several Liberian footballers are stranded and facing dire conditions without pay at Albanian club FK Apolonia, the club has issued a statement addressing the situation. While acknowledging some challenges.
The club president Koço Kokëdhima in a text message to Edi Schmickl, the agent who took the players to Europe also leveled accusations of unprofessionalism and a lack of competitive spirit against certain players.
Allegations of the stranded foreign players facing unacceptable conditions have been met with a robust and at times accusatory response from the club’s president, whose direct communication to the players’ agent paints a starkly different picture.
The unfolding saga raises critical questions about player welfare, contractual obligations, and the ethical responsibilities within international football transfers, demanding scrutiny.
The Players’ Plight: Whispers of Abandonment
Discoveries Augustine Mulbah Jr. and Paynesville FC’s Jenkins Sieh arrived in Albania on February 10 2025 and started their new path with FK Apolonia and were later joined by Fassell FC striker Robin Hney and George Wallace who is believed to be back in Liberia.
However, sources close to the players paint a starkly different picture of their reality since arriving in Albania.
Allegations surfaced indicating that the players have been participating in matches and training sessions without receiving their contracted salaries. Adding to their distress is the uncertainty surrounding who has been collecting their earned wages.
According to the sources, the players are currently living in severely inadequate conditions, purportedly sharing a single, cramped room. Their daily lives are reportedly confined to traveling between their shared living space and the football pitch for matches and practice, with limited social interaction outside of their professional obligations.
The alleged lack of financial compensation has compounded their difficulties, leaving them without the means to support themselves or to facilitate a return to Liberia.
The Club’s Rebuttal: Accusations of Unprofessionalism and Disappointment
In response to the allegations, the president of FK Apolonia Koco Kokedhima directly addressed to agent, Edi Schmickl who facilitated the transfers of the four Players George Wallace, Jenkins Sieh, Augustine Mulbah Jr and Robin Hney term the situation unfortunately but said the players acted unprofessional.
“Good evening Edi. I hope you are well. The things that needed fixing in the room, our guys fixed them,” the president stated, seemingly addressing a specific complaint regarding accommodation.
The immediate rebuttal suggests an attempt to directly counter tangible grievances raised by the players.
The president then sought to establish a positive historical context for the club’s dealings with international players.
“In more than 4 years of experience in the club and collaborations with guys from Africa, nothing like this has ever happened to us,” he asserted. This statement aims to portray the current situation as an anomaly, potentially discrediting the broader allegations of systemic mistreatment.
Acknowledging the club’s financial limitations, the president noted, “We are certainly a modest club…” However, this admission was swiftly followed by a sharp critique of the players’ behavior. “…but I think that there is very incorrect behavior on the part of these players.”
This direct accusation pivots the narrative, suggesting that the fault lies not with the club’s practices but with the players’ conduct.
The president further alluded to past issues but sought to distinguish them from the current crisis.
“I do not hide the fact that we may have some shortcomings and that in the previous months there have been misunderstandings with some of the players, but this goes well beyond that.”
The FK Apolonia president seems to imply that the current allegations are perceived by the club as significantly more severe and potentially unfounded.
Crucially, the president offered a potential explanation for the players’ complaints, suggesting they were rooted in disappointment rather than genuine hardship. “I think that some of them, after realizing that they are not yet up to the task of signing a professional contract, vent their disappointment in this way,” he stated.
The assertion directly challenges the “stranded” narrative, proposing that the players’ grievances are a reaction to their failure to meet the club’s standards for a professional deal. The added remark that these players were “not ready to fight for position” further implies a lack of professionalism or commitment.
Also speaking to FrontPageAfrica ES Sports Management agent Edi Schmickl did not explicitly deny all allegations of delayed payments and substandard living conditions in Albania.
“We are in constant communication with the club to ensure that all contractual obligations are met. Delays in payments can sometimes occur in international football due to various administrative and financial processes, and we are working diligently to resolve any outstanding issues.”
“It has come to our attention that certain players have displayed unprofessional behavior and a lack of readiness to compete for their positions within the team,” the statement continued. “Adapting to a new footballing environment and culture requires resilience and a strong competitive spirit. We expect all our players to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and to be prepared to fight for their place in the squad.” Agent Edi said.
The statement from the players’ agents did not specify which players were being referred to in the accusations. However, the stance from ES Sports Management introduces a new dimension to the narrative, suggesting a potential internal conflict or differing perspectives on the players’ situation in Albania.