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Pay row Corinthians' Vampeta in dispute ahead of Brazil 2000
Posted: Monday January 03, 2000 12:45 PM
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -- Corinthians midfielder Vampeta is embroiled in a pay row with his club on the eve of the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship. Vampeta, who missed several training sessions last week, said on Monday he had demanded a pay increase. "I've no interest in leaving Corinthians. If I go, it will be the directors' fault," said the Brazil international. "I have my family to worry about. Once I stop playing, my winners' medals won't be worth anything when I go to the market." Club director Jose Guimaraes said: "If his demands are very high, it will be very difficult to keep him here." It was not clear whether the row would stop Vampeta playing in the tournament itself. Media reports said he wanted his wages brought into line with other Corinthians players such as Marcelinho Carioca. Corinthians have won the Brazilian championship for the last two seasons and Vampeta, who once made headlines by posing naked for a magazine, has been a key player in both sides. Corinthians, which is taking part as the club nominated by host nation Brazil, has also been hit by rumors that Colombian captain Freddy Rincon may leave to join Flamengo. The tournament, organized by soccer's governing body FIFA, begins on Wednesday in Sao Paulo with Corinthians facing Morocco's Raja Casablanca and Spain's Real Madrid taking on Al-Nassr from Saudi Arabia, both at Sao Paulo's Morumbi stadium.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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