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FC Sion Sack 9 Players for Refusing Unemployment Settlement Amid Pandemic

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FC Sion have dismissed nine players, including former Arsenal duo Alex Song and Johan Djourou, after they did not take an unemployment settlement following the outbreak of COVID-19.

Per Goal's Benjamin Quarez, Sion president Christian Constantin messaged the players via WhatsApp on Tuesday, asking them to take a "technical unemployment" deal.

Under the deal, they would have been paid 9,600 Swiss francs (£8,300), which is 80 per cent of Switzerland's legal monthly salary.

It's said many did not respond by the deadline of noon on Wednesday or turned down the offer, and nine players were subsequently released from their contracts.