Former Qatari bid employee Phaedra Almajid said that the Qatari team for the "controversial winning bid to host the 2022 World Cup offered large sums of money to senior African football figures for their respective federations." Almajid, who gave evidence under condition of anonymity to the FIFA inquiry into the "corruption allegations" led by Michael Garcia, only to be "controversially outed" by FIFA ethics chief Hans-Joachim Eckert, told weekly football magazine France Football that "she was present when offers were made." However, she "did not witness money changing hands" (AFP, 12/9). ... Furious A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers players "insist their plan to boycott the Club World Cup is no bluff after the club refused to improve their initial pay offer to participate in the tournament." The players are "seeking to have their pay deal for the Asian Champions League" replicated for playing in the global club showpiece. That deal saw the players receive 50% of the prize money earned. Just 10% of the A$1.2M ($1M) prize money has been offered to the
Wanderers' players "should they lose their opening match of the
tournament" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/9). ... The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Tuesday that Serie A side Parma has "been deducted one point as punishment for the club's financial irregularities last season." The club has also been handed a €5,000 ($6,200) fine while Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi and club administrator Pietro Leonardi "have each been given a two-month suspension" (SKY SPORTS, 12/9).
POP QUIZ: On Monday, every employee of Croatian side Hajduk Split, "from the cleaners
right up to the directors, including the players and managers, were
subjected to surprise alcohol tests carried out by the club." Among those tested, two employees reportedly "came
up positive, with an alcohol level of over a gram per liter of blood (in
Spain, the drink/drive legal limit is 0.25)." Club President Marin Brbic said, "We cannot allow that at
10 o'clock in the morning people turn up drunk for work" (MARCA, 12/9). ... Ligue 1 side Lens, which has been “plagued by financial problems that could lead to bankruptcy in less than a month,” has not yet paid the rent due to its temporary home, the Stade de la Licorne. Lens relocated its Ligue 1 matches this season to this stadium due to “renovations on the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in preparation for the Euro 2016.” It is reported that Amiens Métropole, the owner of the grounds, “sent a letter to the club asking that the rent be paid for seven matches already played” this season. For the whole season, Lens must pay €200,000 ($247,454) in rent and an electric bill of €150,000 ($185,591). Until now, Amiens Métropole has “not received anything and is threatening to no longer allow” the club to use the grounds (20 MINUTES, 12/9).
