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No prize money for Asian champions

31st January, 2015
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31st January, 2015
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By hoisting the Asian Cup trophy, Australia have become the princes of soccer’s poorest tournament.

While their counterparts the world over play in continental championships for substantial prize money, the Socceroos will receive none from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after their 2-1 extra-time win over South Korea on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

But, that’s not to say the Socceroos haven’t been compensated.

Under the collective bargaining agreement struck between the players’ union and Football Federation Australia, each member of the squad will collect $103,148 for winning the tournament.

But still, the lack of prize money is an embarrassing statistic for Asia’s premier football tournament.

By way of comparison, the winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, being staged in Equatorial Guinea, will receive $US1.5 million ($A1.93 million) in prize money.

Australian Brendan Schwab, vice-president of soccer’s global players’ union, wants answers, especially when the tournament is bringing in a lot of money.

“I don’t think there is a suggestion that the AFC cannot afford to pay prize money for this tournament,” he said.

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“Historically, football associations have taken it up without success with the AFC and I do believe it is a topic that needs to be put on the table.”

In a statement, the AFC denied it had the funds to pay prize money for the Asian Cup, calling itself a non-profit entity.

“Generally, AFC is a non-profit making association,” it said.

“As such, any surpluses generated through its activities are reinvested in its competitions and other football development activities.”

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