Updated 5.31pm
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC have less than 36 hours to settle a player compensation row if tomorrow evening’s Europa League qualifier against Karpaty Lviv is to go ahead without disruption.
PFAI solicitor Stuart Gilhooly said this morning that the Pat’s squad were “determined” to boycott the game if there was no agreement regarding their loss of earnings and “minuscule bonuses” for representing the club in Europe.
He added this evening on Twitter: “Players meeting at seven o clock tonight. Club invited. Still no response from club. If no resolution at meeting, further statement follows.”
Manager Pete Mahon, meanwhile, has told FM104 he is confident the game will go ahead. “I’d be very, very surprise – I’d be actually shocked if our players didn’t play tomorrow,” he said.
In the past month, the Aitricity League side have played in both Kazakhstan and the Ukraine, with some players requesting unpaid leave from their day jobs in order to travel.
The issue of compensation came to a head last night when players informed the club that they would not be available to take part in any media activities ahead of the game in Tallaght Stadium.
The players also said that they would “take any further steps we deem necessary to ensure our efforts are recognised,” indicating that they are willing to take drastic action in order to get the club’s attention on the matter.
“Despite numerous requests the club has refused to get into any meaningful discussions with the players and its representatives the PFAI,” a statement said.
“It is with great regret that we are left in the position where we feel we have to bring this issue into the public domain.”
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 based on our status as part-time players.
St Pat’s declined to comment on the controversy when contacted by TheScore.ie this morning.
