Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic admits his team are “tired” ahead of their scheduled FIFA Club World Cup encounter against Mexico’s Cruz Azul on Sunday in Morocco (AEDT).
Disgruntled Wanderers players arrived in Rabat on Monday still frustrated over a pay dispute that threatens the go-ahead of their quarter-final clash with the CONCACAF champions.
They are angry over the refusal of club owner Paul Lederer to negotiate with them and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) to increase their appearance prize-money from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.
The eight-team FIFA Club World Cup is one of football’s most lucrative competitions in the world, and the Wanderers players don’t feel their hard work and sacrifices this off-season have been appreciated enough.
However Popovic says the players are trying to push off-field issues to the back of their minds after arriving in Morocco.
“They’re tired, we’re all tired, but they’re buoyant,” Popovic told the club’s official website. “You arrive at the airport and see the welcome we’ve received and realise there are seven other clubs here for a World Club Championship and we’re one of them. We’re representing Australia, the A-League, the Wanderers … it hits home why we’re here. But spirits are good but we are just tired.”
Rival Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque says he understands the frustration of the Wanderers players, and that he hopes the situation gets resolved before Sunday’s kick-off.
“As players we understand where they are coming from and it’s a very touchy situation,” Brosque told AAP. “Hopefully it does sort itself out. It’s a great competition that they have won the right to play in and you wouldn’t like to see them not play for those reasons. I hope they and the club can come to an agreement.”
source: rippa.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 