Ex-Arsenal stars Song and Djourou among NINE players released by Sion after refusing pay cut during coronavirus crisis
EX-ARSENAL stars Alex Song and Johan Djourou have been SACKED by FC Sion after the Swiss club cut costs amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Former Newcastle loanee Seydou Doumbia and ex-Fulham and Nottingham Forest midfielder Pajtim Kasami are also among nine players let go by the Super League outfit.
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Controversial Sion chairman Christian Constantin presented his squad with forms asking them if they were prepared to accept pay cuts.
Many were axed after failing to meet the early deadline to reply.
Djourou's agent Costa Bonata fumed: "What FC Sion have done is completely incorrect.
"It was impossible to properly clarify the issue in the short timespan they provided.
"And nobody at the club was contactable for questions."
Swiss players' union chief Lucien Valloni said: "We expect these improper dismissals to be revoked straight away, and talks to be opened about possible alternatives."
However Constantin insisted: "We have all been deprived of our incomes.
"We at the club have been forbidden from offering the players their chance to perform, and they have been forbidden from producing their work."
Football in Switzerland has been suspended since March 2.
Relegation-threatened Sion may now struggle to beat the drop once the competition resumes with their squad shorn of most of its star players.