ACTUALITE |
06.01.2002
Fadiga speaks out
Senegal`s Khalilou Fadiga has defended the players` threat to boycott the Nations Cup unless their demands for higher bonuses are met.
The players are asking for a fourfold increase from the original offer of US$13 500 per man for getting Senegal to the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.
In an exclusive interview with BBC World Football programme, Fadiga said that the Senegalese players are not asking for the moon!
He said: "We heard how much Cameroon were going to get and we couldn`t believe how much more it was than us.
"We know we aren`t like Cameroon and have a lot to prove, but we don`t understand how they can offer us so little money.
"Some of us don`t want to play if we don`t get this money.
"When we look at what FIFA are going to give to the Senegalese FA, we`re not asking for the impossible.
"We know they can afford it because they`re going to get this money from FIFA.
"We just don`t understand how Cameroon can get so much more money".
Fadiga was also eligible to play for Belgium before he committed his future to Senegal.
"I could have made more money if I`d played for Belgium but for me it`s not a problem because I want to play for Senegal" he said.
"I love my country and the fans. For me it`s not that much of a problem but for some players it is.
"If we don`t play in the African Cup of Nations I think it will be difficult to play in the World Cup because we won`t have the preparation.
"I hope this will be sorted out soon because football never causes problems in Senegal.
"I don`t know what the chances are of sorting it out, but we hope we`ll find a solution".
The president of the Senegalese Football Federation, El Hadj Malick Sy, is expected in France on Sunday to negotiate with players threatening to boycott the Nations Cup finals.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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