FIFA to help end row over appearance fees-But wants bonuses paid through banks

World football governing body, FIFA, has been saddened by the spate of rows by African teams over appearance fees and bonuses which have hit its flagship tournament, the World Cup.

It has been particularly upset by the latest incident in Brazil involving Ghana's Black Stars and said it would in the future step in immediately to forestall any such episode.

Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary-General, commenting on the poignant issue at the ongoing tournament said: "FIFA will in future World Cups ask the national associations to provide it with their agreements with their players to make sure this kind of episode does not happen again".

Mr Valcke revealed that FIFA was ready to pay the appearance fees directly to the Ghanaian players and later deduct from the GFA's prize money before it learnt cash was flown in to settle them. But the world body also frowned on the mode of payment, saying "the players have the right to receive the money but it will be much easier by bank transfer".

By that reasoning, the world body seemed to agree with Ghanaian officials that the players were paid through the bank system. "The fact that the money came in cash is also sad because l was ready to sign a letter, as long as l had a copy of the agreement between the national association and the players, that the money would be paid by FIFA by bank transfer into their personal accounts", Valcke stressed.

But he was quick to add that "FIFA would have made sure to deduct the players' money from the prize money paid to the national association". There was a precedent set at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when FIFA had to wade in after Togo's players, led by Emmanuel Adebayor, held their officials to ransom over bonuses.

However, Brazil 2014 appears to be unique and quite historic with Cameroun, Ghana and Nigeria all in rows over money. Last Thursday, players of Nigeria's Super Eagles boycotted a training session protesting they were underpaid $15,000 instead of $30,000 each for qualifying to the second round of the ongoing tournament where they meet France today in Brasilia.

It was the third money palava by an African team after Ghana and Cameroun, who even staged their protest before their departure for the World Cup.