Following the mammoth announcement of a jaw-breaking sponsorship package of $10m dollars for the Ghana Premier League as title sponsors, many would think that players of Star Madrid are enjoying a honeymoon, but the story could be the opposite.

Owed winning bonuses for seven matches in the national Division One League, players of Star Madrid – a club owned by business tycoon Nana Appiah Mensah, have also been asked to go home without salaries for the month of July despite having binding contracts with the club.

Is it possible that Nana Appiah Mensah isn’t aware of this development?

Bankrolling several companies in the entertainment and financial sectors, many Ghanaians believe that players of Stars Madrid are on cloud nine since the owner of the club is filthy rich and has always called for equal support towards the development of the country.

But some of the players who spoke to 442gh.com on the basis of anonymity for fear of victimization recounted their experiences at the club.

“It’s a well-branded club which keeps attracting even some of the biggest stars in the country because of the owner Nana. But when you are finally signed-on, the treatment is different. We have not been paid our winning bonuses for seven matches now and they have asked us to go home without our salary. I don’t think it’s fair,” one player noted.

Despite that, some of the players believe that their conditions of service are better than some Premier League clubs and do not see the non-payment of winning bonuses as an issue.

“In fact I wish I don’t talk about this issue. When we were leaving camp, some of my playmates started complaining but I told them they have to reason. All our signing-on fees have been paid in full and our salaries are paid promptly.

“So why must we talk about this in the media? I don’t know why they’ve not paid the winning bonuses but I know they will surely pay. We just need to be patient. If this Anas thing had not come, I know our salary for July would have been paid as well,” another player retorted.

Other players believe the bankroller of the club Nana Appiah Mensah is oblivious of the development arguing that he wouldn’t permit that treatment if he’s aware.

“For me, I know Nana Appiah is not aware of this. When we complained about our winning bonuses, Bola, our General Manager, told us he gave us the first and only bonus from his heart, so as and when he deems fit, he will give us something. So it means we are not even entitled to it, meanwhile it’s in our contracts,” another player angrily said.

But head coach of the side Michael Osei disputed the players’ assertions insisting they must be grateful for how they have been treated in the club so far.

“Forget about the players,” Michael said.

“They are ungrateful. They were given handsome signing-on fees and they will not talk about that. They are now complaining about winning bonuses. Disregard what they are saying,” he added.

Despite all these, there is cause to believe that not all the players are happy at the club with the treatment they are receiving at the club.

Is it a case of all that glitters is not gold?