Bates stands firm over UEFA bonuses

Ken Bates has reiterated that Chelsea were within their rights to refuse to pay their players a bonus for playing in this season…

Ken Bates has reiterated that Chelsea were within their rights to refuse to pay their players a bonus for playing in this season's UEFA Cup.

The Blues stars complained through their PFA representative, Graeme Le Saux, when the club declined to give them a bonus. However, controversial chairman Bates is standing firm, because the players' contracts state they are entitled to a bonus only if they qualify for Europe through their league position.

But Chelsea qualified for the competition as runners-up to Arsenal in the FA Cup.

"I think Graeme Le Saux has been misled by someone, because they thought they would get their bonus," said Bates.

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"But we have checked with UEFA and confirmed that we qualified for the UEFA Cup via the FA Cup final, and both the PFA and the FA are backing us.

"I don't know if they have accepted the situation but it is in their contracts."

Despite the situation causing tension in the camp, Bates insisted the players were determined to win the UEFA Cup.