Unpaid salaries and boardroom disputes deepen Saint George crisis

Record Ethiopian champions Saint George are in a dire situation after they failed to pay four months’ worth of salaries to their players. The Addis Ababa giants could lose some of their key players in the second round of the 2025/26 CBE Ethiopian Premier League season due to the serious problem.

A source close to the club told Pan-Africa Football that the Horsemen have reached the point of collapse if things continue on the same path.

Saint George lost 0-3 earlier today to Ethiopian Insurance in the Week 21 opening fixture, as their captain and leading top scorer Abel Yalew handed in a transfer request. Yalew chose the club over army side Mechal during the previous summer transfer window, but his stay now seems to be cut short. Another striker, Biniyam Fikeru, left the club two weeks ago by mutual consent.

Other players are expected to follow suit if the club fails to settle its salary obligations. The prominent institution has been a battleground for its members after a new board was set up in October 2025.

The new board, led by club chairman Abenet Gebremeskel, received fierce opposition from some members, who have taken the matter to a civil court in Addis Ababa. The court process is still ongoing, with some members calling the new board illegal.

A negative impact on and off the pitch for Saint George

The fiasco has negatively impacted the team’s performance in the top flight. The club now has 24 points and sits 11th, only two points above the relegation zone. Saint George has also accumulated huge debts to hotels and some service providers. It has also been barred from signing new players by FIFA.

The oldest Ethiopian club now faces questions about its survival, sources noted. Saint George used to be a force in the Ethiopian club football scene, with strong backing from its patron Mohamed Hussien Ali Al-Amoudi.

Since a rift between Gebremeskel and Al-Amoudi occurred, support from MIDROC, a conglomerate owned by the Ethiopian-born Saudi billionaire, has ceased, and Saint George has struggled financially.

Unpaid Salaries Push Saint George Toward Collapse

The most immediate concern in the Saint George crisis 2026 is unpaid wages. According to sources close to the club, the Horsemen have reached a critical stage.

A source told Pan-Africa Football that if the situation continues unchanged, the club could face near collapse. Delayed salary payments have severely affected morale within the dressing room, creating tension and uncertainty among players.

The financial turmoil became even more visible after Saint George suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat to Ethiopian Insurance FC in the Week 21 opening fixture. Shortly after the loss, club captain and leading scorer Abel Yalew submitted a transfer request.

Yalew had chosen Saint George over army side Mechal SC during the previous summer transfer window. However, given the current instability, his stay now appears likely to be cut short.

Another striker, Biniyam Fikeru, already departed the club two weeks ago by mutual consent. If salary obligations remain unsettled, more departures could follow.

Boardroom Dispute Deepens the Saint George Crisis 2026

The crisis is not purely financial. Governance instability has compounded the problem.

In October 2025, a new board was established under chairman Abenet Gebremeskel. However, the board’s formation sparked fierce opposition from certain members of the club.

The dispute has escalated to a civil court in Addis Ababa, where the legality of the new board is being challenged. Some members argue that the current leadership is illegitimate.

This boardroom dispute has created operational paralysis. Decision-making has slowed, investor confidence has weakened, and internal divisions have grown deeper.

For a club already struggling financially, leadership instability has amplified the damage.

On-Field Consequences in the Ethiopian Premier League

The Saint George crisis 2026 is clearly reflected in the league standings.

The club currently sits 11th with 24 points, just two points above the relegation zone. For a team that has historically dominated Ethiopian football, this represents a dramatic fall from grace.

Performance levels have dipped as uncertainty affects training intensity and match preparation. Confidence appears fragile, and consistency has become difficult to achieve.

In addition to league struggles, Saint George has reportedly accumulated substantial debts to hotels and service providers. The club has also been barred from registering new players due to compliance issues with FIFA regulations.

Without the ability to reinforce the squad, the relegation threat becomes more realistic.

Withdrawal of MIDROC Support

One of the most significant factors in the Saint George crisis 2026 is the reported withdrawal of financial backing from MIDROC.

For years, Saint George benefited from the patronage of Ethiopian-born Saudi billionaire Mohamed Hussien Ali Al-Amoudi, whose conglomerate MIDROC provided stability and funding.

However, following a rift between chairman Abenet Gebremeskel and Al-Amoudi, MIDROC’s support reportedly ceased. This withdrawal left a financial gap that the club has struggled to fill.

Saint George’s heavy reliance on a single benefactor has now exposed structural vulnerabilities. Without diversified revenue streams, the club’s operational model has faltered.

A Historic Institution at Risk

Saint George is the oldest football club in Ethiopia and one of the most successful institutions in the country’s sporting history. The Horsemen have long been symbols of pride and excellence in Addis Ababa.

The current crisis raises difficult questions about the club’s survival.

If the financial instability continues, potential consequences include:

• Mass player departures

• Relegation from the Ethiopian Premier League

• Increased debt burdens

• Long-term reputational damage

Supporters, many of whom have followed the club for generations, now watch anxiously as the situation unfolds.

What Needs to Happen Next

To stabilize the Saint George crisis 2026, urgent corrective measures are required.

First, outstanding player salaries must be settled to prevent further exits. Restoring morale inside the dressing room is critical.

Second, the boardroom dispute must be resolved swiftly through legal clarity or negotiated compromise. Leadership unity is essential for rebuilding financial confidence.

Third, the club must diversify its funding sources to reduce dependency on single investors.

Without decisive action, the crisis may deepen beyond repair.

Final Analysis

The Saint George crisis 2026 represents a convergence of unpaid salaries, governance disputes, and financial mismanagement. On the pitch, results are deteriorating. Off the pitch, internal conflict is eroding stability.

For one of Ethiopia’s most decorated clubs, this is an unprecedented challenge.

Whether Saint George can recover will depend on rapid financial intervention and leadership reconciliation. The coming weeks could determine whether the Horsemen rebuild their legacy — or slide further into uncertainty.