Former Arsenal duo sacked by Swiss outfit for refusing to take pay cut

Former Arsenal players Alex Song and Johan Djourou have been sacked by FC Sion after the Swiss league was halted indefinitely by the coronavirus pandemic.

Nine dismissals in all included club captain Xavier Kouassi, former Fulham midfielder Pajtim Kasami, Ermir Lenjani, Seydou Doumbia, Mickael Facchinetti, Christian Zock and Birama Ndoye.

The players had refused to sign an agreement for a wage cut during the indefinite suspension of the Swiss top flight, as reported on Sky Sports.

The Swiss league was forced to stop on March 1 after the government banned gatherings of more than 1000 people.

Sion are currently eighth in the 10-team Swiss Super League and only four points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games left to play.

Sion president Christian Constantin has employed around 40 coaches since he took over the club 17 years go in 2003, including himself for a short stint. Others have included current Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso.

In 2011, Sion were kicked out of the Europa League for fielding an ineligible player and took their case to a local civil court, infringing FIFA statutes.