No minimum wage for amateurs

Amateur players under contract in German sport will no longer fall under the minimum wage regulation confirmed Employment Minister Andrea Nahles (Social Democrats), in Berlin on Monday.

"It's the fun and not the financial reward that are the priority in these cases. And for that reason we aren't talking about a traditional working relationship between employers and employees," said Nahles in Berlin.

This decision came after weeks of considerable uncertainty for the country's 90,000 clubs. "We are sure that we can clear up any of the current problems," added Nahles after the decision.

Contracted players, who have to be club members, had been given a small allowance and, on paper, were register as having a mini job.

Nahles spoke to the head of the German Olympic Committee (DOSB) and the German FA (DFB). DOSB President Alfons Hörmann said this decision was also made in regards to the number of volunteers who received very little allowance.

German FA treasurer Reinhard Grindel said that although the rule applies to those with a mini job, "it doesn't for contracted players." This applies to all sports with contracted players and not just football, although there are around 8,800 football players who had been receiving around 250 euros in allowance.

Grindel was also keen to point out though that club officials and full-time groundsmen did fall under the minimum-wage bracket.

"I'm pleased about the fantastic decision that our treasurer Richard Grindel and German FA Vice President Rainer Koch have made after talks with the DOSB and the policy of German football," said German FA President Wolfgang Niersbach.

jh/apc (dpa, SID)