Seattle Sounders’ FIFA Club World Cup protest explained: MLS side accuse governing body of ‘cash grab’

With the World Cup that looms up, the players of Seattle Sounders are not happy with the bonus shares they will receive for participation in the tournament. Before she played Minnesota United on Sunday, Sounders players warmed up in shirts with the text “Club World Ca $ H Grab” at the front and “Fair Share Now” on the back of what their bonuses will be to participate in the tournament. The sounders earn at least $ 9.5 million for participation in the tournament, a number that could rise if they are able to get points in a heavy group B next to Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Paris Saint-Germain.

According to GivemesportSounders -owner Adrian Hanauer, angrily addressed the team in the dressing room after the game about the gesture. The sounders have also not carried out their normal availability of media, instead choosing to be in solidarity. The issue stems from the Major League Soccer Collective Arming Agreement, so that MLS players can only earn 50% of the money from outside tournaments, with a limit of $ 1 million to be shared among the team. Although this is an increase compared to what it was earlier, that is not currently not available for players.

The Sounders participated in Concacaf Champions Cup Play and will also participate in Leagues Cup, where the club received enough money that players would earn more than $ 1 million in bonuses. This is while also plays a well -charged schedule, because they are active during the summer holidays of MLS, and if they move forward in the MLS Cup -Play -Offs, the season cannot end until November.

The current MKBA was ratified prior to the prize money of this club World Cup as a factor, so Sounders players claim that it is outdated. Although there are still similar protests from Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami, the other two MLS participants, their players are subject to the same limitations.

What the sounders say

Sounders Captain and goalkeeper Stefan Frei spoke about the statement because the Sounders have made this issue public.

“It’s a shame that we are two weeks away and we have absolutely no idea,” Said Frei. “We tried roads that were private, respectful. I think we ask something that is honest. We don’t ask to make more than what I think FIFA thought it would be honest for the players.”

The SME is in force until 2028, so every decision must be made outside of it if players have to receive more money, something that the MLS Players Association argues. Although the sounders participated in the World Cup club earlier, this was no problem than due to a smaller prize pool. That tournament guaranteed only $ 500,000 for taking it, nine million fewer than what is currently on the line.

What the players’ association says

“The MLSPA and all MLS players are united with the Seattle Sounders players who demanded a reasonable part of the FIFA Club World Cup price money tonight,” the Players “Association said in a statement.

“FIFA’s new tournament is piling up to the ever-increasing workload of players without taking into account their physical well-being. In order to grab this extra calendar area, FIFA had to commit historical quantities of prize money to guarantee club and player participation. As a result, MLS receives an unprecedented financial windfall.”

“Despite this windfall, the competition has refused to assign a reasonable percentage of those funds to the players themselves.

“For months, the players have privately and respectful invited the league to discussion bonus terms, yet mls has failed to bring forward a reasonable proposal. Instead of recognizing the players who have brotht mls to the global stage, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league, the league (the league. Association) to deviate from the (collective bargaining agreement)-is Cinging to An Out-of-Date CBA Provision and Ignoring Longstanding International Standards on What Players Typically Receive from Fifa Prize Money in Global competitions.

“It is the players who make the game possible. It is the players who cancel MLS on the global stage. They expect to be treated honestly and with respect.”

What is the following?

In view of the ownership and FIFA, this song has not considered this song, the Sounders and other MLS teams in the Club World Cup will play under the current structure. They do not threaten not to participate in the tournament, which will start on 14 June, but this will be a problem that continues and will also be a point that must be resolved when the SMEs ends.