MANCHESTER, Nov 10: England’s players will pocket a reported US$525,000 each if they win the World Cup in Germany next summer. The payments are outlined in a bonus package the England players agreed in principle with the Football Association during talks here that involved senior squad members David Beckham, Gary Neville, Michael Owen and Sol Campbell.

The FA confirmed a framework deal had been agreed but did not publicise the amounts involved, which, if true, would represent a significant increase on the 250,000 pounds per man England were on to win the last World Cup.

“It was a very constructive meeting, the first on the subject of World Cup issues, including team bonus payments,” an FA spokesman said.

“We are delighted that agreement has been reached in principle after the first dicussions.”

England fans will inevitably question why players who are already financially secure for life would require additional payments for representing their country in the biggest games of their career.

But the players could legitimately argue they are simply ensuring they get a cut of the cash windfall that will come the FA’s way should England lift the game’s biggest prize for the first time in 40 years.—AFP