Rivers United: Players were pleading with Gov Wike in viral photo

Rivers United players pleaded and apologised to Governor Wike for their manner of protest.

Rivers United have confirmed that the club players were pleading to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike in a photo that has gone viral on the internet.

The photo was taken during the protest of Rivers United players over their unpaid sign-on fees for the 2014/2015 season.

In the photo, a player is seen lying on the floor at the feet of Governor Wike.

Several versions of what was happening in the photo had circulated on social media but the captain of the team Austin Festus revealed that they were apologising to the Governor for their manner of protest.

“The governor addressed us personally at the government house and he promised to ensure we get the money as soon as possible,” Festus told Complete Sports.

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“He has been too good to us by ensuring prompt payment of our salaries since he became governor of the state and the sign-on fees were owed by the former governor.

“He has already approved the payment of the money and we apologised to him for not using a more subtle way of resolving the issue.”

Sharks and Dolphins merger

According to the media officer of Rivers United Sammy Wejinya, the players stormed the State House in protest to demand the payment of their sign on fees.

Wejinya revealed that monies were owed by the previous administration, before the merger, and during the days of Sharks and Dolphins FC.

 

It should be recalled that Rivers United were formed from the merger of now-defunct Port Harcourt clubs Sharks and Dolphins FC.

“The Governor addressed the players personally and promised to look into their demands,” the club’s media officer stated in his statement.

“The players thanked the Governor and apologised for their actions of this morning.”

Wike had approved the payment of the sign-on fees in July and the players protested after getting impatient over the delay.