A PORTUGUESE footballer playing for a second-division Paphos team was forced to sleep in his car and live off borrowed money because the club has not been paying him, the island’s footballers’ association (PASP) charged on Friday.

Hugo Coelho, 33, acquired by AEP five months ago, has not been paid consistently and has been “impoverished,” PASP said in a written statement.

“During this time, he has changed 11 to 12 places of residence … and had to sleep in his car fore one night,” the statement said.

The footballer said he felt imprisoned because he was not given any money so that he could buy a ticket and leave Cyprus, PASP said.

The association added that it was providing the player with legal assistance.

cyprus mail