Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Harbour View F.C.'s Kavin Bryan (left) reacts after a tough challenge from Sporting Central Academy's Jevaughn Watson, during a Cash Plus Premier League game at the Harbour View Mini Stadium on Sunday, October 21. The game ended 2-2. - photo by Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

TIVOLI GARDENS' 0-3 home loss to Portmore United on Sunday started with a mutiny last Tuesday when players boycotted training to discuss wages, which have not been increased since the previous season of Premier League football.

Following Portmore's big victory, which saw the first goal struck in the second minute and the other two within four minutes of the final whistle, Tivoli coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey hinted at disruption at Railway Oval.

"We traveled to Montego Bay and got a win. By the next day, the 'ballers held a meeting. I don't want to comment on it but I hope we have learnt we can't draw two games, win one and start sticking up the programme, saying what you want."

Brian Rose, Tivoli's manager, expanded on Bailey's veiled comments, saying a meeting was scheduled for 5:00 yesterday evening with club president, Edward Seaga, for the players to vent their issues.

"There seems to be a problem, as he said, with sticking up the club," said Rose.

"At the start of each season the players want an increase. With the financial situation of the clubs, we cannot afford an increase every season," he added.

Rose admitted Tivoli's players could be comparing salaries to those of other top teams but pointed out it was not fair for them to do so as the west Kingston club offers far better incentives.

Explaining that Tivoli pays a low of $4,000 per week to new players just entering the league and a high of $8,000 to seasoned veterans, Rose said that, unlike other clubs, a 12-month pay bill is maintained at Railway Oval.

"Tivoli is one of the few clubs, which pays off-season," he said, adding that other clubs only pay for the duration of the league.

"From I've been at Tivoli, this is my fifth season, I came and saw that system in place. The only time it stops is when they go abroad to play the Bronx League. Tivoli is also one of the few clubs, which pays full salary while players are on the injury list. At some clubs, they stop or reduce salary after a couple months."

Rose added that prize money from winning competitions go directly to the players and support staff, whereas other clubs deduct as much as 40 per cent of winnings.

The Tivoli manager, similar to Bailey, believes Sunday's loss, their worst at home in many seasons, was a direct result of the players being restive.

"We did not train on Tuesday because the players said they wanted a meeting among themselves," he said.

"They wanted a meeting with the pre-sident but he was not available. They trained the other days but we, as management, were not satisfied with the output as the problem was obviously not solved and it showed on the field yesterday."

Tivoli's players should not be overly expectant of yesterday's scheduled meeting as Rose said the club cannot afford an increase.

"We are incurring expenses of between $15-20 million per year and our income is not even 50 per cent of that," he pointed out. "How could we possibly grant an increase?"

SPONSORSHIP CASH

Meanwhile, players, who could possibly be looking at increased sponsorship cash from Cash Plus Limited, the league's new title sponsors, will have to wait a while longer before clubs know just how much of the yearly $50m will be disbursed to the 12 participating teams.

Clyde Jureidini of the newly-formed Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), which is in the process of assuming administration of the Premiership from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said it was still uncertain how much more than the previous maximum $700,000 per year clubs would earn under the new $150m three-year sponsorship as the body was going through budgets to arrive at a final figure.

"The sponsorship covers the cost of running the competition and we are in the process of finalising those figures with the JFF but I know for sure it will be more," he said.