Dec 3, 2009 9:55 PMBy BARENG-BATHO KORTJAAS and Sapa
Bafana will get R58-million for just pitching up to play at the World Cup next year.
Fifa will pay each of the 32 participating countries $8-million (R58.44-million) for next year's tournament.
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke announced on Robben Island yesterday that prize money had been increased by 61% from the last World Cup.
The winning team will get $30-million and the losing finalist will earn $24-million.
Teams reaching the second round of 16 teams will get $9-million; the quarterfinalists $18-million; and the semifinalists $20-million.
Valcke also revealed that $40-million would be paid to clubs whose players take part in the World Cup to help to compensate them for insurance costs.
It is also a peace offering to the clubs, who have been reluctant to release players for international duty.
The stand-off has been eased somewhat by the alignment of the "football season" for most of the professional leagues.
For example, South Africa's season has been brought in line with Europe's to enable players to be available for national team matches.
Valcke also said that for each player involved, each club would receive $1600 a day during the tournament.
The payments will safeguard against legal action from the clubs, who are essentially the players' employers.
These payments were agreed upon during the Fifa executive meeting on Robben Island.
Tributes were also paid to the political prisoners who were incarcerated on the island during apartheid.
The island's inmates famously established their own football association, Makana FA, named after a Xhosa chief who was jailed there in the 19th century.
•Fifa said the number of teams for the 2015 Women's World Cup would be increased from 16 to 24. The next tournament will be held in 2011 in Germany.
•President Jacob Zuma was made an honorary referee by Fifa. Zuma was an official of the Makana FA during his time on Robben Island.
source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/article219765.ece
