Soccer: Viduka hits out in Oz pay row

Leeds United striker Mark Viduka arrived in Melbourne today for Sunday’s friendly against France and walked straight into a pay row with Soccer Australia.

Players have voiced concerns over the share-out of the £4m the country will earn if they reach the World Cup finals.

Australia will have to win a two-legged play-off against the side that finishes fifth in CONMEBOL, the qualifying group in South America, to gain a place in Japan and Korea.

Viduka today suggested that football officials in Australia are in the game for their own glory.

‘‘I want to play for my country and I want to see soccer become the number one sport in this country,’’ he said.

‘‘But a lot of the time the people who are in charge are more concerned about themselves.

‘‘Let’s put it this way...if we don’t make it, they’re not going to get anything. So basically it’s all about the players, isn’t it?’’

Socceroos captain Paul Okon, the Middlesbrough defender, brushed aside rumours that the dispute could mean the game being cancelled.

‘‘I don’t anticipate that there will be a strike or that there will be no game on Sunday,’’ he said.

‘‘I honestly think an agreement will be made.’’