Maldini & Milan In Pay Dispute

Paolo Maldini’s planned contract extension with Milan is being held up by a rather embarrassing pay dispute, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

Maldini was due to retire from football at the end of the current season following a glittering career spanning almost a quarter-of-a-century.

However some brilliant form this season from the defender has seen him have a change of heart, and he has notified the club that he wants to sign a one year extension until 2009.

Milan have unsurprisingly agreed to allow Maldini to continue playing for another year, however the deal is being held up by a pay dispute.

During his career the legendary stopper always signed blank contracts, trusting the club to write him a half decent wage.

However the Corriere says that Milan have told Maldini that they will have to halve his current contract which would mean him earning just €1m a season, thus making him the lowest paid player in the senior squad, less than the likes of Christian Brocchi and Giuseppe Favalli.

This is said to have humiliated Maldini to some degree, and the soon to be 40-year-old is hoping that the embarrassing dispute can be solved soon.

Goal.com