Uganda Cranes footballer Joel Madondo has been reduced to no income and had his passport confiscated by his club Wydad Casablanca during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“The club dumped me in the apartment (in Casablanca) or which I have to pay $1,000 (Shs3.7m) per month yet they have not paid me a salary,” Madondo told Daily Monitor.
“My agent has been paying for the apartment and I will pay him back from my salary.”
The 22-year-old received 1400 US dollars in February but has not received any income since. Madondo signed a three-year contract with Wydad in January, and also subsequently had his passport taken by the club – reportedly to use in processing a work permit.
According to Madondo, the club has refused to return his passport.
“I don’t have any document on me. That is very risky here. The club manager told me if the police stop me, I just mention Wydad and nothing will happen.
“This is not what I expected when I signed for this club. Nothing has gone right. They have only assisted me with 14,000 Moroccan Dirham on February 20, which I used to buy flour and started making chapattis. You can’t imagine I have been eating chapattis and tea since I came so that I save the little I have.”
Fortunately for Madondo, he has received help from teammates at Wydad, who he mentioned but preferred to keep their identities hidden.
“The Moroccan gave me $50. My fellow players from Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the one helping me. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was using a taxi to and from training.
“I was spending 30 Moroccan Dirham daily. At that time, the Ivorian player used to bring me back home. My other teammate Michael Babatunde, a Nigerian midfielder, has also helped me acquire Wi-Fi that I use to keep in touch with the outside world. It’s tough for me.”
“I don’t have any document on me. That is very risky here. The club manager told me if the police stop me, I just mention Wydad and nothing will happen.”
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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