By David Gold
April 4 – William Gallas has threatened legal action if he does not receive his World Cup bonus from the French Football Federation, according to the Tottenham Hotspur player’s lawyer.
France’s squad went on strike during last year’s World Cup in South Africa after Nicolas Anelka was sent home by manager Raymond Domenech, prompting a huge outcry and a series of bans for some of the players involved.
As a result, most of the players involved waived their rights to the bonus payment, but Gallas insists that he wants his so that he can donate it to a charity of his choice.
The French Football Federation said in February that the debate over bonuses was “closed” and that the money was to be distributed in the French amateur game.
Jim Michel-Gabriel, the former Arsenal and Chelsea defender’s lawyer, said: “Once again we are reaching out to the Federation.
“Mr Gallas plans to take the case before the courts.
“We haven’t fixed a time limit but this case has dragged on too long.”
Like Gallas, Chelsea striker Anelka has said that he wishes to donate his bonus to an amateur football club of his choosing.
Anelka is currently suspended after being handed an 18 game ban by the Federation for his part in the fiasco.
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