With the friendly against the US just two days away, the Danish national football association DBU has finally agreed to a new bonus agreement (see below) with the players after weeks of heated negotiations.
The new collective agreement – which also includes the women's national team and the men's under-21 national team – which will give DBU a saving of 17 percent. Claus Bretton-Meyer, the CEO of DBU, was pleased with the result.
”We are pleased that the men's national team players are willing to accept lower bonuses and thereby contribute to DBU having a better economy and thus being able to invest more in fan experiences, talent development and other football activities,” Bretton-Meyer, said.
”It's a good deal for Danish football – and it will be good to now be able to focus on national team football and the forthcoming matches.”
READ MORE: Denmark without its big stars? New bonus deal could see them refuse to play
Qualification bonuses
Thomas Lindrup, the head of the players' association Spillerforeningen, said that the new agreement, of which very few specific details were revealed, would allow the players to focus 100 percent on playing football.
”We are very pleased that Spillerforeningen will have a more active role with the national team,” Lindrup said. ”It was essential for us to find a long-term solution.”
Denmark takes on the US in a friendly in Aarhus on Wednesday, before travelling to Saint Etienne to take on France in another friendly on Sunday.
Fact box
The new national team agreement includes:
– Three collective agreements between DBU and Spillerforeningen which all national team players must adhere to
– Total savings of 17 percent (three million kroner a year) on the annual cost of operating the national team
– Larger bonus agreements for the national teams for qualification to World Cups and European Championships
– More flexibility and co-operation about the commercial activities involving the national team players
– A rate adjustment when it comes to fees and insurance
– Better insurance initiatives for all three national teams
– The inclusion of a special social clause in all three national teams
