FIFA has ordered Venezuela to pay almost $3 million to Argentine José Pekerman in compensation following his dismissal as national team coach in March 2023.
Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) will "pay" to Pekerman 1.71 million dollars as "due remuneration", plus 5% annual interest from 23 August 2023 until the debt is paid off and 1.14 million dollars in "penalties", according to a Fifa court decision dated 6 November and released today .
After 15 months at the helm of the Venezuelan selection, the 74-year-old Pekerman left the country on the eve of the start of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. According to the Venezuelan press, he was fired after "irregularities" in the management of Pascual Lezcano, the right-hand man of the coach.
The arrival of the former Colombia and Argentina coach had raised many expectations in Venezuela, the only Conmebol country to have never qualified for a World Cup.
A three-time world champion with Argentina under-20s, Pekerman succeeded Portuguese José Peseiro, who resigned due to a 14-month salary debt that was later paid.
Pekerman was replaced by one of his assistants and compatriot Fernando 'Bocha' Batista.
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