Ivan Leko about dark clouds over Standard: “No one knows when we will be paid”

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A full press room for an unnecessary match in the Europe Play-offs against Westerlo. Ivan Leko with a grin: “Full house! Big game on friday, boys?“. Not so. The Standard coach did not receive a single question about the match against the Gamecocks. All attention was focused on the disastrous financial situation that keeps the club in a stranglehold. While the American owner 777 Partners is embroiled in a tangle of lawsuits, the Liège football pride seems to be increasingly left behind.

Uncertainty about payments

Players, staff and employees of the club were told this morning that it is not clear when their salaries will be paid. A story confirmed by Ivan Leko. “We were told in a meeting that the board does not know when we will receive our salaries,” said the coach, who appeared upset at times. “The uncertainty is the hardest to bear. Not just for us. Sixty to seventy people work for this club. They also have to put food on the table.”

“What I would like to say to the people of 777 Partners? That people here are sad. The cups hang down. They don’t know what the future will bring. We read all kinds of things, but no one knows what’s going on. Everyone is looking for clarity. It’s good that the season is almost over, but what about the ambitions for later? This is a very sad situation for a beautiful and big club like Standard.”

Temporary transfer ban

Earlier today, Standard announced that it had been imposed a (temporary) transfer ban because it was unable to provide certain proof of payment during an interim evaluation by the licensing committee. On its website, the club claims to be confident that this transfer ban will be lifted again. But Ivan Leko also realizes that the future does not look particularly rosy under 777 Partners. “I came here with the ambition to play Play-off 1 next season and compete for a European ticket. If they had told me that I also had to fight against relegation next season, I would not have come. I’m worried too, yes. It’s damn hard to concentrate on football like this. Anyone who says otherwise is deluding themselves.”

Players finish the season

Yet Leko is convinced that his players will continue the season, even if they are not paid. “I asked if there were any boys who would rather not play anymore. No one raised their hand,” the coach said. “We must draw strength from our honor, our pride and the beautiful colors of this club. So that no one can tell us afterwards cheater can name. We want to continue to give everything of ourselves so that afterwards we can look everyone straight in the eye.”