30 May 2018 10:02:30
Hey eds just to change topics from the usual who are we going to sign today, I was wondering if you could shed some light on the pay structure for players when on international duty.

When I was young I naively believed players represented their country simply out of pride however, I'm assuming that is far from the case. So how does it work, do players have contracts with the FA? Is it a set wage or does it differ between players that are gatunteed starters versus say standby players? Are agents involved in negotiation and thereby agents fees involved?

Thanks in advanced.

{Ed002's Note - An interesting question. Players either don't get paid or get a smallish match fee that varies country to country. For many years it was the norm to not pay the players but in recent years the higher profile nations pay a match fee typically based on results. I am not sure what England pay at present but it is something like £2k for a win, £1k for a draw and £500 if they lose. One England player persuades some if not all of the others to donate the monies they get to charity. The French side do the same and it would not be unreasonable to expect that the higherprofile the other sides like Germany, Italy and Spain do the same. The African nations won't pay any fees. Some nations will pay bonuses for doing well in competition. Several times in the past I recall tournament bonuses paid by sponsors being gifts of watches, cars and the like. Now the players would be given a significant bonus (£500k or whatever) for winning the World Cup.}

1.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 11:45:49
Ed once again thanks for sharing your knowledge. Also I'm glad to hear that it seems that national football is the one element left that hasn't been conpletely corrupted by money and agents and that a lot of players actually donate their fees to charity.

2.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 12:31:42
Like the idea nafe but unfortunately you’re wrong. maybe not the majority of the players but the country FIFA officials are as corrupt as anything.

3.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 12:36:26
Great question from Nafe01 and a very insightful reply from ED02.

Thanks ED02.