Footballers face modest wages, late payment and intimidation

File Photo: A player kicks the game ball during the Euro 2008 final match between Germany and Spain at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, June 29, 2008. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

ZURICH (Reuters) - Far from the image of owning fast cars and living in mansions, footballers around the world face low wages, delayed payments, bullying and intimidation, according to a survey published on Tuesday.

Sixty percent of the nearly 14,000 players interviewed in 54 countries earned less than $2,000 a month and four in 10 had experienced late payment at some stage in the last two years, the survey conducted by the world players' union FIFPro said.