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'My team-mates and I are not mercenaries driven by money': Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou confirms he has taken FC Sion to court as one of nine players sacked for refusing to take pay cut

Former Arsenal centre-back Johan Djourou has confirmed he has taken FC Sion to court after the Swiss club sacked him and eight of his team-mates for refusing to take a pay cut.

The Swiss Super League side fired Djourou and eight other players, including another ex-Arsenal player Alex Song, after they either failed to respond to a WhatsApp message to the squad from club president Christian Constantin or refusing his offer.

Constantin wanted the Sion players to take a 'technical unemployment' deal which would see them receive a reduced payment of around €12,000 (£10,750) to help the club deal with economic difficulties caused by the league season being halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.