0
Giteau threatens to walk if Force don't pay $1m
Dave Hughes | October 30, 2008
WALLABIES star Matt Giteau has threatened to walk out on the Western Force before the next season if he is not paid more than $1 million owed him by failed sponsor Firepower.
Such action would require him to take legal action against both Rugby WA and the Australian Rugby Union, with which he has a separate contract to play for the Force until the end of next year.
Giteau, 26, joined the Force last year after securing a personal three-year deal with Firepower, worth an estimated $2m, to supplement his rugby earnings. He has only received money for 2007. The Force has facilitated a compromise arrangement in which Giteau would receive $800,000 in compensation for this year and the next, plus the same again for a further two seasons - but only if he commits to the Perth club until the 2011 World Cup. The offer expires tomorrow afternoon.
Negotiations between Giteau and the Force are at an impasse, with the five-eighth asking to be paid in full the amount due him from Firepower before he considers extending his stay.
A source close to the discussions revealed Giteau felt the Force have an obligation to make good on the promises that lured him to Perth from his hometown of Canberra and had warned possible courses of action included seeking an immediate release if his requirements were not met.
The suggestion horrified the Force, who cannot do more than they have achieved in arranging partial compensation for Giteau and other players for the deals they did with elusive Firepower founder Tim Johnston.
"I'd be surprised and disappointed if it came to that," Force chief executive Greg Harris said yesterday. "We consider him integral to our viability."
Giteau is in Hong Kong with the Wallabies and could not be contacted.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...956142861.html