Sports · Football · 2 hrs ago
Socceroos still awaiting World Cup match payments from Football Australia
Socceroos players are still waiting for World Cup match fees from Football Australia, three months after the tournament ended.
Australia was eliminated by Egypt in a round-of-32 shootout on July 3.
The fees were due within two weeks of players leaving camp, and those who played or were unused substitutes earn about $6,000 per match.
Some players may be owed roughly $36,000 for six games, including two friendlies and four World Cup matches.
Football Australia says it is ready to pay but needs specialist advice on North American tax obligations and further player information from the players’ union.
The delay adds to tensions over player payments, as male and female national team players are also taking legal action over a revenue-sharing agreement.
Football Australia says it is working with the union to resolve the outstanding matters as quickly as possible.
Socceroos players who competed at the FIFA World Cup have not received their match fees, three months after the tournament ended.
Football Australia says it is ready to make the payments but is waiting for specialist advice on North American tax obligations and further player distribution information from the players’ union.
The players’ union says the delay is unacceptable and that any international tax issues should have been addressed before the tournament.
Payments were due within a fortnight of the players leaving camp.
Players who appeared in all six of Australia’s matches could be owed roughly $36,000 each.
- Who
- Socceroos players who competed at the World Cup are awaiting payment from Football Australia.
- What
- Their World Cup match fees remain unpaid.
- When
- Three months after the tournament ended; payment was due within a fortnight of the players leaving camp.
- Where
- The World Cup was held in North America.
- Why
- Football Australia says it is awaiting specialist advice on North American tax obligations and further player distribution information from the players’ union.
Football Australia
Professional Footballers Australia
Reason for delay
Football Australia
It says it needs final specialist advice on North American tax obligations and further player distribution information before processing payments.
Professional Footballers Australia
PFA chief executive Beau Busch says the delay is unacceptable and that any international tax issues should have been addressed before the tournament.
Australia lost to Egypt in a round-of-32 shootout and was knocked out of the tournament.
Socceroos players were still awaiting their World Cup match fees.
- Payment deadline
- Within a fortnight of the players leaving camp
- Australia’s exit
- Round of 32, after a loss to Egypt on July 3
- Possible fees per match
- About $6,000 for a player who sees game time or is an unused substitute
- Possible total
- Roughly $36,000 for players named for all six games
- Football Australia loss
- $23 million over the last two financial years
What people are saying
Football Australia is ready to make the match payments related to the FIFA World Cup.
It is clearly an unacceptable situation that three months after the conclusion of the World Cup the Socceroos match fees remain unpaid
Any matter related to international tax was foreseeable and should have been addressed long before a ball was kicked at the tournament.