Democratic Republic of Congo players threatened to boycott training in Oman on Friday in protest at uncertainty over bonuses for the Africa Cup of Nations, coach Claude Le Roy said.
BBCSport
“There was a meeting between the players who were fed up at not knowing how much their bonuses would be eight days before the Nations Cup. They said they would not go to train but in the end the training session went ahead as normal.”
Le Roy spoke out in his players’ defence.
“They’ve been told they must play for their national pride, but if they are here that means of course they are playing for their country.
“But they are missing one month’s competition with their clubs with the risk of losing their first team place. And their demand is by no means outlandish.
“The five or six lead players asked for me to say that it’s not acceptable, and I understand them. They’ve got a great respect for me. Between the players and the staff, the work atmosphere is great.”
The veteran French manager added: “You’d have to be naive to think the [DRC Football] Federation has the money, with support from the government the federation has nothing.”
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Le Roy’s side are drawn in Group B with his former team and 2012 semifinalists Ghana, Mali and Niger.
