Soccer News of Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

FIFA insists appearance fees for players compulsory

FIFA has revealed that it is compulsory for Ghana players to be paid their appearance fees at the World Cup because the world governing body pays the country’s prize-money.

The notion has been created that the country funds appearance fees of the Black Stars which has led to some unhappiness among the Ghanaian populace.

Some in Ghana have even called for the appearance fees for the players to be cancelled in the wake of the chaos caused by the Brazil saga.

But it has been revealed that government only pre-finances the appearance fees for the World Cup only to be reimbursed after the World Cup.

After Ghana’s players boycotted training in protest at not receiving their money despite several failed promises to government, Ghana FA begged FIFA to pay their appearance fees on the eve of the match against Portugal.

Thankfully the country’s government flew $3m in cash to Brazil that same day averting a boycott of the match against Portugal.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke insists appearance fees for the countries are compulsory.

“The players have the right to receive their money but it would be much easier to do this by bank transfer,” he said.

While Ghana have now gone home from Brazil, having been eliminated from the tournament at the group stage, another bonus row is ongoing involving Nigeria.