The FIFA ordered to Venezuela pay almost 3 million euros to the Argentine Joseph Pekerman as compensation following his dismissal as national team coach in March 2023, according to a document received by FIFA on Thursday. The Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) “must pay” Pekerman $1.71 million as “due remuneration”, plus 5% annual interest from August 23, 2023 until the debt is paid, and $1.14 million as “penalty”, according to in the decision of the FIFA Football Court, dated November 6.
After 15 months in charge of the Venezuelan team, José Pekerman, 74, left the country on the eve of the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to the Venezuelan press, he was fired after “irregularities” were found during an audit in the management of Pascual Lezcano, the coach’s right-hand man.
The arrival of the former coach of Colombia (2014 and 2018 World Cups) and Argentina (2006 World Cup) has raised many expectations in Venezuela, the only Conmebol country that has never qualified for a World Cup. A three-time world champion in the Argentine under-20 team, Pekerman replaced Portuguese José Peseiro, who resigned citing a 14-month salary arrears, which was later paid.
Pekerman was replaced by one of his assistants and his compatriot Fernando ‘Bocha’ Batista, who started the Conmebol qualifiers well (4th place after 6 games out of 18), including a draw (1- 1) achieved in Brazil.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
