Former Stuttgart, Nuremberg midfielder Perchtold receives Gold Coast United compensation

Peter Perchtold has received $340,000 compensation from Collective Bargaining Agreement arbitrators following his contract wrangle with Gold Coast United.

The 27-year old German midfielder was sacked by the A-League club for refusing to agree to a demand that the second year of his contract be removed under the club’s then ‘one year contract’ policy.

The arbitrator was highly critical of Gold Coast United’s conduct, stating ‘The Club plainly reneged on the Agreement. In doing so the Club breached the Contract. The Player was blameless. In my opinion the conduct of the Club was highhanded to say the least.’

Professional Footballers Association chief Brendan Schwab welcomed the decision against a club who have simply discarded players in the past.

“This is an important win for players in Australia. It demonstrates that an employment contract in Australia must be honoured by the Club, and that the obligations which exist on a Club, once the contract is freely entered into, must be complied with,” he said.

“We hope the decision will also bring about a change in the culture at Gold Coast United, which has dismissed 3 A-League players in recent times. The A-League features a salary cap and restricted rosters. The onus is on all A-League clubs to get their recruitment right and then invest in the development of their rostered players in order to be competitive. Extensive education and counselling programs are available through FFA and the PFA to ensure that every player upholds the highest standards of professionalism and conduct, on and off the field.”

Since being snubbed by Gold Coast, Perchtold has since headed home to Germany and is currently playing with FSV Mainz.