September 1, 2004

Apart from being hit by financial trouble, the Jaguars are also facing a players’ revolt.

Rumours are rife that a number of discontented players in the Jaguars squad are threatening a boycott, promising not to turn up for training and matches if they did not receive their salaries soon.

Jaguars chairman Matthew Kang is already digging into his pocket to help the club financially but he is not the only official to dig into his pockets.

Despite not being paid themselves, Jaguars head coach Karim Bencherifa, club captain Ong Leong Koen & star midfielder Ballamodou Conde have also loaned money to players.

Bencherifa feels the most gratifying thing to come out of this sad situation is to see players helping one another during difficult times & is hoping the episode will bring the team closer together.

Skipper Ong, who has been living off his savings, has supported a few younger team-mates as he saw some of them did not even have enough money to eat.

Also he knows about the threat of boycott but feels it is immature thinking & asked those players to think of the bigger picture.