The situation of Salvador Cabañas is one of many examples of how footballers are being treated by some club owners, says Fernando Barboza, the secretary general of FIFPro Division Americas. ‘It is a disgrace.’

The life of Salvador Cabañas has taken a bizarre turn. The Paraguayan footballer was shot earlier this year and has not played football since. On top of that, his club Club America, has not paid Cabañas for months.

There was no football in Uruguay during last weekend. The country’s football federation (AUF) had suspended all matches after the tragic death of Diego Rodríguez, defender of Nacional.

Two young footballers have died. In Spain 23-year old Jordi Pitarque died of a cardiac arrest, while in the United States of America, 27-year old Isidore Philip Tisson was shot dead.

If professional football in Colombia is to survive and make significant progress, the clubs must adopt a clear and democratic structure and become financially transparent. That is the view of Carlos González Puche, chairman of Acolfutpro.