Greece national football team: Head coach Poyet says assistant hasn’t been paid in 8 months

Greek national football manager Gustavo Poyet this week revealed that one of his assistants was abstaining from the team’s preparation because the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) owed the latter eight months of back pay.

Speaking to reporters during media day and ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against France, Poyet, who has been at the helm of the men’s national team since 2022, expressed frustration and said the issue was not about money but about respect.

“Unfortunately, (assistant coach Mauricio) Taricco will not be available this week, something that affects the team’s coaching staff,” the Uruguayan manager said.

Taricco, 50, an Argentine national who joined the national team’s staff in 2022, has been a long-time assistant to Poyet, including a stint with Greek club AEK Athens in 2015.

His contract extends until March 2024, and he has cited offers to continue his career elsewhere.

EPO responded by maintaining that the payment delay was due to Taricco not supplying a personal number issued (AFM) by the Greek tax bureau (AADE) as requested, as he prefers to be compensated via a foreign company. EPO said remuneration in this manner is not possible.

Poyet commented on the upcoming matches for Greece, referring to a tight framework for training and evaluating internationals.

Greece is currently in third place in Group B, behind France and the Netherlands. The men’s team will take part in a play-off round to earn a spot in the Euros 2024, hosted in Germany next summer.