Sat, Nov 13 10 12:19 AM
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris agreed on Friday the national team did not deserve their World Cup bonuses but said they were not ready to give up their money from previous matches.
"We never changed our minds," Lloris told a news conference ahead of Olympique Lyon's Ligue 1 match at home to Nice.
"We were asked to give away our bonuses for the whole 2009-2010 season. We thought it should only be about the World Cup. Everyone agreed."
After their shock first-round exit at the World Cup in South Africa, the players promised they would give up an estimated two million euros ($2.78 million) in bonuses, their share of sponsorship revenue which is unrelated to performance.
The federation had decided to divide the money between various charities and amateur football clubs.
"I think there was a misunderstanding. It is a shame because we do not really need that at the moment", Lloris said.
"The situation is clear. Considering the World Cup we did, there is no way we deserve any bonus.
"All the players realise we failed during the World Cup and gave a negative image, and so we all wanted to give away those bonuses to charity."
France's World Cup performance was also marred by a player's strike organised in protest at the decision to kick out Nicolas Anelka.
The federation is also locked in a battle with former France coach Raymond Domenech who is seeking 2.9 million euros ($4.07 million) in compensation for unfair dismissal.
Source: Published>
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