FFA and the PFA are continuing their negotiations to establish A-League wide standards for Asian Champions League payments, even after both Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets have played in 4 of their 6 group phase games. FFA has undertaken that the agreement will apply from the first game.

The negotiations between FFA and the PFA are designed to take the pressure away from negotiations directly between players and their clubs. Last year, the PFA reached an agreement with FFA that Asian Champions League payments would not count towards an A-League club’s salary cap. The PFA is also determined to ensure players are provided with the best travel and medical support, given the extensive distances involved, especially for the knock-out phase when the A-League is back in season.

The PFA’s latest proposal, based on financial modelling presented to the PFA by FFA on behalf of the clubs, includes the following minimum payments and conditions:

Match Payments (Minimum)

ACL group stage: $1,250.00

ACL R16 (A): $1,500.00

ACL R16 (H): $2,000.00

ACL ¼: $2,250.00

ACL ½: $2,500.00

ACL Final: $NIL (substantial prize money guaranteed)

FIFA World Club Cup: $2,000.00

Exhibition: $1,250.00

Match payments are to be payable to all players: (a) included on the match team sheet (18 for the ACL; 23 for the FIFA Club World Cup); (b) required to travel internationally with the squad; and (c) unavailable to play because of injury.

Prize Money (Minimum)

A club’s players will be entitled to share in a minimum of 30% of the gross prize money payable by the AFC or FIFA (as the case may be), provided that for the ACL this obligation will only apply from the semi-final stage.
Other Bonuses

It would remain open to a club and its players to negotiate other bonus payments based on commercial or sporting success. For example, a club may be able to package its ACL involvement with its A-League properties to generate improved returns through sponsorship, membership sales and gate receipts. It would be inappropriate to prevent such an enterprising club from sharing these rewards with its players (subject only to the issue of salary cap integrity noted above).

Conditions

It is essential that the performance, health and safety issues associated with travel arrangements are addressed.

Due to its cumulative cost, the PFA is willing to withdraw its claim for business class travel from the ACL group stage, but strictly on the condition that clubs adopt the best timed and most direct travel route available and are reminded of their obligations under the standard player contract regarding the provision of meals and accommodation.

Each club should be obliged to submit to FFA for approval their travel plans in 4 key respects: (1) air and bus itineraries; (2) accommodation; (3) manner for the provision of meals; and (4) the support staff that will accompany the team to ensure all trips are professionally conducted and players have access to high quality medical facilities and treatment. FFA approval should only be given after consultation with the PFA. Clubs which subject players to inordinate travel schedules to access cheaper flight options should be subject to heavy financial penalty by FFA.

Business class travel must be compulsory from the ACL R16 onwards. For the FIFA Club World Cup, business class travel is provided for by FIFA.