With the clock ticking down to the start of the third annual LIME Pelican Challenge on September 15, referees want an urgent meeting with organizers about their money for the lucrative football tournament which carries a first prize of $100 000.
They are demanding a maximum 75 per cent increase in fees but organizers of the franchise-based tournament, have blown the “offside” whistle.
Consequently, the referees have summoned members to a special meeting today to update them on the latest developments and to discuss what course of action to take if their demands are not met.
“We are urgently requesting a meeting with the LIME Pelican organizers to address this grave situation, failing which there could be reduced participation by referees in the tournament,” a senior referee told WEEKEND?SPORT yesterday.
In a letter to the LIME Pelican Committee on August 26, a representative for the referees, said the proposal was for a starting sum of $700 for each first round game for the match officials.?The breakdown would be $175 for the referee; $155 for each assistant referee and the fourth official and $60 for the referee’s assessors.
These fees would be increased by $100 for each round in the knockout stage from the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
