Motsepe Foundation Championship side Platinum City Rovers have hit back at claims of financial difficulty in failing to pay their players' salaries.
KickOff reported previously that former Marumo Gallants striker Lerato Lamola left the club over alleged salary discrepancies.
READ | Veteran attacker Lerato Lamola leaves latest club after just two games
"First of all this is our first month, but already people claim we owe some players money, how is that possible?" Rovers Chairman Tyzer Tlou Temo tells KickOff.
"They were not paid for which month exactly? I mean all of our players' contracts started this month.
"The month ends on the 30th. Just because he [Lerato Lamola] didn't play at the weekend, now he's gone?
"All of our players' contracts started on the 1st."
Asked if Lamola was currently training with the team, Temo could not confirm.
"Lamola is still part of the team, but I can't confirm if he is [currently training with the team] because they only started training today.
"So I'm not sure if he attended training, but last time he had an injury."
According to a source close to the player, Lamola is currently at home waiting for his clearance.
"Lamola is sitting at home trying to focus on his other stuff," a source revealed.
"He is not retired though, you know when a player is used to the type of professionalism at the top-flight level, it becomes difficult for him to play in a league where sometimes clubs do not keep their promises.
"It might not be the salary that made him leave, it might be regarding signing-on fees or a lack of proper accommodation.
"Players are not paid. Lamola joined the club three months back but has never been paid even once. In football players get paid from when they join the club and not only when the season begins.
"He informed the club through a letter that he was leaving. He made it clear he does not want to be compensated, he just wants permission to leave.
"There are about maybe six players who have not received their salaries at that club. Some of them are from Orlando Pirates. But I saw them in the last game maybe they received their money I don't know.
"How can you expect five people to share one room? Imagine an old person like Lamola sharing a bed with a young boy. In one accomodation you sleep in twos in a lodge?"
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