Fortuna forced to sell squad

22 May 2002

Fortuna's financial predicament has become so precarious that they are being forced to sell practically the entire squad in order to have any chance of surviving as a professional club. Despite the sale of Mark van Bommel, Kevin Hofland, Jürgen Dirkx and Patrick Paauwe, which brought in €8.3 million Euros during the last 4 years, mismanagement of the club's financial affairs during the same period has led to the club building up debts to the tune of €7.3 million Euros. Only a private donation made it possible for the team to play its last game of the season against Feyenoord! The club's general manager Theo Mommers has devised a rescue-plan which includes cutting the bill for players' salaries from €2.5 million to €0.8 million Euros and only 3 of the 27 members of the squad will be staying! Who exactly will be forced to leave will be announced on Friday during an extraordinary meeting at the club. There is insufficient capital to buy off existing contracts, there will also be forced reductions in both the technical and administrative staff and, if all goes according to plan, the stadium will also be part of the "summer-sale" in Sittard.