Matthews slams players who act like ‘divas’

Brockie had his transfer request turned down by the club last week when he tried to leave.

Matthews stressed the importance of making the players understand their contractual obligations.

“Football has to take a stand‚” Matthews told Sowetan.

“What culture are we encouraging‚ and is being inflated in the media‚ when Rivaldo Coetzee is allowed to go Awol (at Ajax Cape Town)‚ Lebogang Manyama is allowed to try to sulk his way out of Cape Town City‚ and Khama Billiat at Sundowns‚ and I’m dealing with this with Brockie?

“It’s not on. Guys are in contracts – it’s not a suggestion or guideline. If clubs don’t honour them we’re hauled before the courts and made to pay with damages.”

Matthews says Eric Tinkler dropped Brockie for the Maritzburg United game because of a half-hearted performance against Kaizer Chiefs.

“I think it’s all a bit of a storm in a teacup‚” Matthews said.

“Not every player can expect to be sold whenever he wants to be sold. We’re standing by our commitments‚ and we expect him to do likewise.

“The thing is the longer he’s on the sidelines it’s going to hurt him as well us. So he’s got to decide what kind of professional he is now.

“There’s nothing to manage. He’s a professional player under contract earning millions of rands‚ and we expect him to do his job to the best of his ability.

“And if he doesn’t do that I’m sure other clubs are also going to scratch their heads and wonder what kind of character they were showing an interest in.

“So it’s up to him. If he responds the way we expect him to‚ banging in goals‚ winning trophies and earning his way out of the club‚ it’s certainly not our intention to hold onto him forever.

“But we’ve just appointed a new coach. The coach wanted to build the team around Jeremy‚ and we’re not going to have that undermined.

“For certain‚ if we win a trophy and Jeremy’s giving 1000 percent‚ then don’t expect to see him at the club next season.

“But when that happens is our choice‚ not his choice. It’s nonsense.

“And I don’t understand the media buying into‚ ‘The player’s unhappy’. Boohoo. The player’s unhappy earning millions of rands a year‚ because he can earn an extra million somwhere else. No.

“So really his future’s in his hands now.”