Mateusz Morawiecki made the announcement in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Controversy over bonuses
On Monday, the wp.pl website reported that Morawiecki had promised Czesław Michniewicz’s men at least PLN 30 million (EUR 6.4 million) in bonuses for reaching the last 16 at the World Cup, a feat Poland had not achieved since 1986.
These reports sparked a wave of criticism, the PAP news agency reported.
Government spokesman Piotr Müller told reporters on Tuesday that Morawiecki considered releasing new funds for football coaching and infrastructure if Poland reached the knockout stages in Qatar.
No bonuses for Poland’s World Cup team
In his Facebook post on Tuesday, Morawiecki wrote that the footballers "have brought great joy” to the nation by reaching the last 16 of the World Cup.
Morawiecki praised Poland’s “good performance against the reigning world champions France” in their round-of-16 match, which Didier Deschamps’ team eventually won 3-1.
Morawiecki said that "with a little bit more big-tournament experience and a little bit of luck," Poland might have achieved more in Qatar.
“However, our team gave us more than we could have expected,” he added.
Morawiecki wrote that football was the most popular sport in Poland and the government had a duty to support it, "particularly youth coaching, talent development" and the construction of new football facilities.
“The government will allocate extra resources for this,” he pledged.
He said: “I also believe that rewarding performance at the most prestigious tournaments is an important part of the whole system and it is the responsibility of the football federation [PZPN] and the main sponsors."
Morawiecki added that "there won’t be any government bonuses for the players" for reaching the last 16 at the World Cup.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, meczyki.pl