“Pay me first”: Khuda Myaba controversy twists Masters’ hand

That demand by Masters Football Club player Khuda Myaba has forced the club to clarify its media policy.
Masters FC said journalists will not be charged for routine football interviews.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said its policy applies only to exclusive podcasts and other digital content where a player’s appearance may have commercial value.

The club said the policy was never intended to mean that journalists should pay for pre-match or post-match interviews or that players should charge the media.

Masters FC reaffirmed that all its players remain available for routine media interviews before and after matches as part of the club’s commitment to supporting football coverage and maintaining a strong working relationship with journalists.

However, the club said requests for podcasts, exclusive interviews and other unofficial digital media engagements must be submitted through its Media Department for approval and coordination.

The clarification follows a Facebook post by Myaba in which he declared that he would no longer give post-match interviews unless he was paid, sparking widespread debate among football fans and journalists.