SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has revealed the intricacies of loan deals at the club, with a special emphasis on the clause inserted by Mamelodi Sundowns in the majority of their loan contracts. Matthews opened up on the Marawa Sports Worldwide show about the financial dynamics of loan deals and why they have to live with Sundowns’ prohibiting loan clause.
Matthews said that, for the majority of the time, SuperSport foot the salary bill for players acquired on loan. However, when they cannot afford to do so, they ask the parent club to meet them halfway. He also pointed out that the terms of the loan deal depend on the club from which the player is coming.
At the beginning of the season, SuperSport signed three players on loan from Sundowns: goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, Grant Margeman and Thabang Sibanyoni. However, Sundowns have inserted a loan clause which bars those three players from playing against their parent club. Matthews admitted that this gives the Brazilians a “competitive advantage”, but he has no choice but to live with it, if it means signing a valuable player.
He also drew a comparison to the UK, where players on loan from one club are not allowed to play against their parent club. Matthews said he has to make a decision whether to sign a player, knowing that he will not be able to play against Sundowns for two games each season, but banking on the other 28 games for him to add value.
“Yes, it’s not ideal for me and for sure it gives Sundowns a competitive advantage because they are playing against me with three of my regulars not playing. Whereas when I’m playing against Chiefs, Pirates and everyone else I’m playing with my full strength team,” he said.
