From News 24

Jaque Fourie does not have a standard players contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) and that is just one of the reasons he believes his agreement with the union is not binding. He is also believed to be tired of having to play above himself to carry the Lions along with a handful of team-mates, and is said to be tired of the losing culture of the union. Fourie wants to leave the Lions to join Western Province, so that he can play for the Stormers next year.

Arbitration in the dispute between Fourie and the GLRU ended in Johannesburg on Tuesday, but a finding is only expected early next week. Information at Sport24’s disposal suggests that Fourie has a strong case.

The collective agreement between the South African Rugby Players’ Association (Sarpa) and the South African Rugby Employers Organisation (Sareo) determines that rugby unions must enter into agreements with players on standard players contracts.

Sports24 revealed the following:

-Fourie does not have a standard players contract with the union. He did, however, enter into an agreement with them on August 11, 2008.

– Sareo already on June 26, 2008 sent the standard players contract and new collective agreement to rugby unions, and there was no reason for the GLRU to not apply it to Fourie.

– The agreement that Fourie reached with the GLRU does not stipulate his remuneration for the second year of the so-called contract. Furthermore, the terms of his remuneration such as allowances, deductions, match fees and bonuses have not been filled in.

 – Fourie’s contract with the GLRU indicates that he has been appointed as a “professional analyst” and not a rugby player.

The Springbok centre believes his relationship with the GLRU has broken down because he was prevented from joining French club Clermont earlier this year and his salary for next season was not revised.

Fourie apparently followed grievance procedures, but talks with Lions chief executive Manie Reyneke and union consultant Jake White did not solve the problems.

He is tired of the losing culture at the union, which is preventing him from reaching his professional, personal and financial goals.

Sarpa chief executive Piet Heymans called on rugby unions and player agents to use the standard players contract.

“All the parties have to do on the standard players contract is to fill in the remuneration and the term. The rest is determined by a broad process of negotiations between Sarpa and Sareo. The provinces should take cognisance of the collective agreement, of which the standard contract is an attachment,” said Heymans.

 Sport24 has learned that six Lions players do not have standard contracts. Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik are also among them. Both have offers from the Sharks.

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