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Russia's Soccer Union says contract with Hiddink honored

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MOSCOW, November 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Soccer Union rejected on Sunday media reports that Guus Hiddink, the national side's Dutch trainer, had problems with salary payment.

Some Russian media reported earlier this week that delays in the payment of the trainer's salary could cause him to "pack his things and leave."

"The contract with Hiddink is being fulfilled," said Andrei Malosolov, the union's press secretary.

Malosolov said the salary to the Dutch trainer was currently being paid by the Russian Soccer Union out of its resources whereas previously his work had been paid for by the National Soccer Academy headed by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich.

Malosolov said the Russian Soccer Union was acting as a guarantor for the fulfillment of contractual obligations to Hiddink.

The 62-year-old trainer earlier told the Sovetski Sport newspaper that while "money is not the main thing," and that he did not want to leave Russia, he was concerned that his assistants had not been paid the bonuses promised to them after the side reached the last four at this summer's Euro 2008.

Hiddink's contract runs until after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, although he earlier said that had not ruled out extending it "if he felt needed."

The former Real Madrid and Netherlands coach took over the Russian national side in 2006. Despite some initial resistance to having a foreigner in charge of the team, the vast majority of the country has now been won over. Indeed, such was the affection felt for Hiddink that babies were named in his honor after the side's 3-1 victory over Holland in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008.

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