Pats players take action in Europa pay row

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC’S preparations for tomorrow night’s Europa League game against Karpaty Lviv have been overshadowed by a row about players’ pay.

Angry that they feel they have not been properly compensated for loss of earnings and European bonuses, arising out of a campaign which has seen Pats travel as far afield as Iceland, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine, the team have opted for a media boycott ahead of tomorrow’s game against Karpaty at Tallaght Stadium.

In a statement released yesterday through the footballers’ union, the PFAI, the Saints’ players said that following a written proposal on the issues sent last Monday, they had still not received a satisfactory response from the board of the club.

The statement went on: “Despite numerous requests the club has refused to get into any meaningful discussions with the players and its representatives the PFAI. Our efforts in the UEFA Europa League over the past six weeks have not been properly recognised by the club and we are deeply disappointed with the club’s lack of acknowledgement of our achievements.

“We regret that due to the club’s actions we will not make ourselves available to partake in any media activities ahead of the game on Thursday. We will also take any further steps we deem necessary to ensure our efforts are recognised.’’