Talk of a possible third football players’ union emerging in South Africa has begun circulating in the local fraternity – and the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) has moved to respond.
There is growing speculation within the football fraternity that players, coaches, and other stakeholders feel existing structures are not adequately protecting their rights.
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Currently, SAFPU, led by acting president Tebogo Monyai, and the Football Union of South Africa (FUSA), chaired by former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite, both claim to represent players.
But concerns have been raised that neither body has been effective, and that divisions are creating confusion rather than unity.
A well-placed Siya source explained, “There is an outcry in the football fraternity about the lack of representation for footballers. We’ve had issues with players like Monnapule Saleng, Khuliso Mudau, and Lucas Ribeiro, and there hasn’t been a clear indication of how SAFPU has addressed these matters. Right now, it feels like players don’t have a voice.”
The source further argued that the existence of two unions “doesn’t make sense” and that both are “misleading the players” by failing to deliver concrete results. Coaches are understood to have also joined the chorus of frustration, pointing to cases such as the Royal AM saga where players were left stranded, with little intervention from the unions.
These frustrations have fuelled discussions around a third body entering the space with a renewed focus on player welfare, including player insurance, a provident fund, and timely payments for national team players.
With speculation mounting, Soccer Laduma reached out to SAFPU acting president Tebogo Monyai, who defended the organisation’s role and stressed the importance of dealing with contractual matters responsibly.
Monyai told the Siya crew: “Firstly, this is South Africa – everyone has the right to express themselves and to establish any structure they choose. As SAFPU, we cannot and do not have the power to stop that.
“But when people suggest that players don’t have a voice, I have to question that. Take the case of Saleng: he signed his contract with the club, either on his own or with his agent, and importantly, he is a member of SAFPU. Like any footballer, if he is unhappy, he has the right to raise those concerns with his club. What must be emphasised is that every player must respect the contract they’ve signed. If Saleng or any other player has an issue, they should contact the union directly. We would never go public about such matters – we deal with the player privately.
“The same applies to the cases of Mudau and (Lucas) Ribeiro at Mamelodi Sundowns. These are contractual issues between the club and the players. Unless a player approaches the union for representation, we don’t involve ourselves, and we certainly don’t go public to say we’ve spoken to a particular player. Right now, much of what’s being said is speculation.”
Meanwhile, FUSA secretary-general Motloung told the Siya crew that his organisation has not yet been informed of any developments regarding a new union:
“As FUSA, we haven’t been made aware of this. I’m not saying there isn’t such a development, but perhaps they still plan to engage us. For now, however, we haven’t received any communication.”
According to Siya sources, a crucial meeting involving SAFPU, FUSA, and other stakeholders is expected next week to deliberate on the state of player representation.
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While the hope is to unify voices and strengthen the fight for players’ rights, there is also concern that further fragmentation could weaken the very cause unions were meant to serve.
With players and coaches said to be growing increasingly restless, the outcome of that meeting may determine whether South African football enters a new era of unity – or faces the creation of yet another body in a crowded and divided space.
Photo by SAFPU
