Bloemfontein Celtic chief executive Khumbulani Konco has revealed that veteran goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was released from his contract after an abusive rant aimed at the club’s officials.

News emerged across various outlets on Tuesday that Tignyemb had his contract terminated after allegedly speaking on behalf of the Celtic players with chairman Max Tshabalala regarding an outstanding bonus and potential strike.

However, the club’s CEO Konco stated that the Cameroonian, who has played more than 300 games for Celtic in 10 seasons at the club‚ was released after he verbally abused club officials.

‘Early yesterday morning Patrick and [midfielder] Lantshene Phalane came to the office and met the chairman and discussed the issues regarding outstanding bonuses.’ Konco revealed.

‘At the end of the meeting they said they would come back to the chairman‚ via the team manager‚ on the decision the players had taken. They [later] told the team manager the players were not going to train.

‘The team manager informed us. We then wrote to all the players informing them that tomorrow‚ which is today [Tuesday] they should be at training at 9am‚ and failing that the club would take action.

‘Those actions were stated in the letter‚ and that we had a right to fine them.’

Konco added that Tignyemb then returned to the club offices with personal motives instead of representing his teammates.

‘Then Patrick came to the office‚ alone‚ around 3pm or 4pm. And then whatever altercation he had at the office‚ that was what resulted in him being terminated.

‘He cannot say it was because he came to represent the players [on the later occasion]. He came alone. And the things that he was saying‚ he was talking about himself. That the club could not do anything to him. He was swearing‚ abusive‚ obstructive.

‘Definitely all of those things were against what is written in his contract. So immediately when he did that, we took a step and said ”OK‚ so if you are breaking your contract deliberately like that‚ then we will terminate you”.’

Konco was subsequently asked if they had considered a different route considering the length of the keeper’s service at the cash-strapped club.

‘Listen‚ if you were there‚ you would have called the police. That’s how bad it was‚’ he said.

Celtic have struggled with their financials throughout the season, with the fans taking action before a recent game against Cape Town City that had to be abandoned.

Konco is confident, though, that any bonuses promised to the players will be paid.

‘The bonuses will be paid. The bonuses issue is not a contractual issue. Bonuses are paid at the discretion of the chairman.

‘The players were demanding that the bonus be paid now. Normally the chairman pays bonuses when he has the funds,’ he concluded.

Tignyemb has yet to comment on the allegations.

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