By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has refuted claims that the National Team Head Coach, Nicholas Dupuis, Manager, Lugala Emmanuel and a goalkeeper were detained at Peace Hotel Juba due to unpaid bills.
The association asserts that the alleged outstanding amount of over $10,000, purportedly accrued over five days of services provided to the national team, is inaccurate.
The rumours spiraled over the weekend claiming that three national team delegation was locked up in the hotel, and denied food, water, and other hotel services by the management over the unpaid bills.
The SSFA clarified that there were no instances of the National Team members being restricted or denied any hotel services, including food and water.
However, Elsheik Chol Ajeing, the Deputy Secretary General of South Sudan Football clarified that the South Sudan Football Association together with the hotel management signed an agreement to take care of the three officials until Saturday after South Sudan and Uganda Match. He said the rumors circulating on social media was untrue.
He added that SSFA paid 70% of the hotel bills and awaits to clear the other 30% which the associations owes the hotel.
“Only less than 20% has not been paid and the paid bills included hotel services for the three officials until yesterday (Saturday) and that’s why the staff opted to remain in their rooms because the services offered to them are what has been included in the quotation which part of it was already paid and there is no reason for them to leave the hotel because of un-provided hotel services,” said Ajeing.
The Deputy Secretary further noted that the three officials were kept in the hotel pending relocation to a new hotel for the CHAN Preparation between South Sudan and Kenya on Sunday 27th October 2024.
“The three guys were supposed to relocate to a new hotel but they could not because Saturday has been included in the quotation and as of yesterday they have left the hotel for a new venue to allow them time to prepare for the CHAN Competition and they are staying in the hotel longer does not have any connection with the payment of hotel services and they have never been denied any services” added Ajeing.
While commenting on when the remaining 30% hotel balance will be paid, Ajeing stated that the association will obey the agreement signed by the two parties.
Meanwhile, Jalal Abdallah the Chairperson overseeing ongoing contributions to support the national team added that the goalkeeper together with the other national team staff had already signed out from the hotel on Sunday morning after officials from SSFA met with hotel management.
He added that the three staff have been relocated to another hotel.
He estimated over $3,000 as the remaining balance that the association owe the hotel.
“They (SSFA) have reached a verbal agreement with the hotel management and three staff have been set free and transferred to another hotel so that they can continue preparation but the fact is that the hotel needs money from the association and nobody wants to accept the truth that there is no money, that’s why we have stepped in steer fans contributes money, the future of the CHAN game is uncertain,” said Abdallah.
He said the association has been waiting for money from FIFA funds for some of its activities however to date World governing body FIFA has not reimbursed the association accounts.