Some disgruntled members of the Senior Scorpions team have disgustingly issued a stiff request to the national football governing body without which they may decide not to put on the Red-White-Green-White again.

In an eleven-point joint statement sent to the GFA secretariat and copied to the Department of State for Youths, Sports & Religious Affairs and the various media outlets, the players claimed that until their demands are met by the concerned authorities, they may not turn up when Gambia faces Guinea on March 24 in the on-going 2008 Nations Cup campaign in Banjul.

Among the claims, the agitated players want a fixed match bonus of D15, 000 (Fifteen thousand dalasis) for every home win and D8, 000 (Eight thousand dalasis) for draw matches. The disgruntled players also want a reward of D21, 000 (Twenty-one thousand dalasis) for every away win and D8, 000 (Eight thousand dalasis) for an every away draw match. The team also want a fixed allowance of D5, 000 (Five thousand dalasis) payable to every player prior to their departure for any away destination.

The team also requested that German coach Antoine Hey’s issue be clear to them.

“We also want a total amount of Seven thousand, four hundred and seventy one euros owed to us refunded before our next match against Guinea,” they claimed.

The out-of-favour Scorpions, who have been admittedly tempted by the Gambia U-20 team’s conspicuous success at the international arena, also believed the football authorities did very little to ensure their return to an international football after their sorrowful elimination in the 2004 Nations Cup campaign.

The eleven points

1. All travelling expenses regarding bookings should be made in advance, as we have now decided not to purchase our own tickets for travels from our bases to any destination.

2. During home games, all allowances must be paid on the following. Special arrangements should be made for any player/players leaving early.

3. During away games, all allowances should be paid prior to our departure and in full.

4. All necessary equipment, training gears must be in place and the personnel responsible.

5. A measure of our success lies in the test games we play in preparation for the qualifying matches proper and failing to organise test matches may mean that the coach will never know his first team. To avoid the type of game played against Cape Verde, the available international weeks be fully utilised to bring the squad together against strong opposition.

6. Invitations to our various clubs/employers should also be sent in good time if necessary three weeks before the proper date of the event to give room for any eventualities.

7. For home games, we request a Five thousand dalasi (D5000) per point or fifteen thousand dalasi for every home win, whilst a draw at home pays eight thousand dalasis. (D8,000) 8. For away matches, a seven thousand dalasi (D7000) per point and an eight thousand for a draw.

9. Allowances of a five thousand dalasi (D5, 000) to be paid to every player prior to our departure for any away destination.

10.We would also like to see the coach’s position resolved as soon as possible before our next scheduled international to free ourselves from the confusion between the Football Association and the Sports Department.

11. A total amount of Seven thousand four hundred and seventy one euros is owed to players and we would like to see these monies paid before our next game against Guinea in March.