Cardiff players in bonus row/Tan not wanted in dressing room

First I've heard of this ?

Friday 04th October 2013.

' Cardiff City players in bonus row '


Malky Mackay has settled a dispute which was threatening to cause a rift at Cardiff, writes John Cross.

The Bluebirds' boss helped play peacemaker between the players and club officials in a row over Premier League bonuses.

It is understood that senior pros agreed to a compromise to stop younger players missing out, but the dispute had been dragging on.

Mackay held talks with the club’s owner, Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan, and the issue was resolved.

Tan, who has worn a club shirt over his collar and tie in the directors’ box, has also been a regular in the dressing room.

But it is believed he has been urged to take more of a back-seat role in team affairs.

Cardiff chief executive Simon Lim said: “Our 2013/14 bonuses were concluded in September, ahead of the Hull game, and we are all focused on the season ahead.

“Our collective aim is to bring success to Cardiff’s fans.”

Basically Tan didn't want to put aside money for the end of year bonuses that are shared between the squad.

Players said they didn't want Tan involved in day to day/football dealings.

Sportsmail

Friday 4th October 2013

' Cardiff players’ relationship with majority shareholder Vincent Tan has hit rock-bottom after a bitter bonus row.'

The conflict has led to a breakdown in communication between the Malaysian billionaire and senior members of Malky Mackay’s squad, with players so angry that they want to bar Tan from having any involvement with the first team on match days.

The disagreement originates from Tan’s refusal to fork out a seven-figure sum for the players’ end-of-season bonuses next May. It is common practice for clubs to put aside a cash pot to be divided between players according to the number of games they play in the season.

' Bonus row: '
The players are unhappy with the offer made for their end-of-season appearance bonus
However, the bonuses are not written into players’ contracts and clubs are not obliged to offer the fund.
Tan insists he has no intention of making the gesture at the end of this season, a stance that angered a number of players.
After heated discussions between players and the club’s hierarchy, Tan eventually relented in giving the go-ahead to make an offer to the squad.

Despite their Premier League status, though, the amount is said to have been lower than last season’s bonus pot.
That prompted the squad to reject Tan’s offer, with players insisting they should be entitled to more given their promotion to the top flight.

Now the squad have made a U-turn and decided to accept Tan’s original offer, essentially resolving the dispute.
Sportsmail understands the key reason behind the players’ change of heart was to ensure the club’s young professionals, who earn less than more established players, were not in danger of missing out on their bonuses.
Despite the fact that Tan owns a controlling stake in the Welsh club, players have told Cardiff officials that they would prefer him not to have access to the dressing room on match days.


' No access: '
Cardiff players have told officials they would prefer Tan not to be allowed in the dressing room, though they have accepted his offer to make sure younger players in the squad do not miss out
The feud leaves manager Mackay in a difficult position. It is understood he played a key role in trying to resolve the issue as he looked to ensure the row did not affect his team’s performances.

' Statement Simon Lim '

In a statement to Sportsmail, chief executive Simon Lim said: ‘Our 2013-14 bonus discussions were concluded in September ahead of the Hull City game and, as a club, we are all focused on the Premier League season ahead.

‘Our collective aim is to bring success to Cardiff City supporters.’

Yes I can see tan listening to the Players! Not!!

It's his club he can do what he likes!! But if true I can see why the players are pissed Off!! Hope all the players got the bonuses sorted!

If there was any issues you would never of thought it from the professionalism of the players on the pitch!

But to me it's the media making a story out of nothing!

Yes I can see tan listening to the Players! Not!!

It's his club he can do what he likes!! But if true I can see why the players are pissed Off!! Hope all the players got the bonuses sorted!

If there was any issues you would never of thought it from the professionalism of the players on the pitch!

But to me it's the media making a story out of nothing!

Exactly.. media etc making a mountain out of a mole hill

Seems a bit odd to me, a bonus that's not written into contracts?
Maybe standard practice but I've never heard of it.

Players certainly don't seem distracted.

Yes I can see tan listening to the Players! Not!!

It's his club he can do what he likes!! But if true I can see why the players are pissed Off!! Hope all the players got the bonuses sorted!

If there was any issues you would never of thought it from the professionalism of the players on the pitch!

But to me it's the media making a story out of nothing!

Exactly.. media etc making a mountain out of a mole hill

It would appear so, but unfortunately some on here will make more of it than it really is, though

If true shows how together our squad is making sure the younger players don't miss out

If it's not in their contracts why are they winging the get paid enough shouldn't need any more incentives to play

If it's not in their contracts why are they winging the get paid enough shouldn't need any more incentives to play

Couldn't agree more - Thankfully it looks like the players aren't letting it get in the way of their performance, but I would rather they concentrate on playing football, rather than moaning about more money, which it sounds like they aren't contractually obliged to.
I'm sure the players would be the first to go to Gordon Taylor if the club tried to break their contract by just dumping them when they still have time left on their contract.

Never believe anything in a Mail newspaper - their headline from 1934 "hurrah for the blackshirts".

Pernicious peddlers of misery.

Probably hardly any truth in it anyway

A Bonus structure is written into Swans player contracts, suprising not for City players. I do think if you are promised something it should be given its irrelevant what their wages are, peformance related bonuses is the way to go some players can sit on massive wages and not work for the team but if you rely on the bonuses you work harder. Still bad form from Tan.

Most of this is probably bollocks.

A Bonus structure is written into Swans player contracts, suprising not for City players. I do think if you are promised something it should be given its irrelevant what their wages are, peformance related bonuses is the way to go some players can sit on massive wages and not work for the team but if you rely on the bonuses you work harder. Still bad form from Tan.

As said above though, this was a bonus they were asking for which wasn't in their contracts. all the senior players would have something written into their deals if their agents are worth a piss.

I'd guess they were looking for something to cover the kids etc.. who didn't have anything in their contracts.

The likes of Declan John and Nugent might still be on peanuts - perhaps they were trying to get something for them ? i doubt a position/staying up bouns would be in an 18 year old's trainee contract.

Seems like it's all sorted now anyway.

As for Tan in the changing room, chairman/board members should be in the boardroom, not the dressing room. So if the players have asked he isn't there, then that's a good thing.

Probably some truth in the story but not as they're making out. They don't want us or Swansea in the League, they done it when Swansea first got in the PL