Continental drift: Western Sydney Wanderers players celebrate winning the Asian Champions League, a victory that qualified the team for the Club World Cup. Photo: Reuters

Furious Western Sydney Wanderers players insist their plan to boycott the Club World Cup is no bluff after the club refused to improve their initial pay offer to participate in the tournament.

The players are seeking to have their pay deal for the Asian Champions League – the tournament that saw them qualify for this event – replicated for playing in the global club showpiece, which starts in Morocco this week.

The club's attitude has been very disappointing. Surely what we are asking for - the same as what we had in the ACL - is a very reasonable request 

The ACL pay deal saw the players receive 50 per cent of the prize money earned, as stipulated by the collective bargaining agreement for A-League players. However, the CBA does not cover the Club World Cup.

United front: Wanderers players are remaining firm on their threat to potentially boycott their opening match against Cruz Azul. Photo: James Brickwood

Just 10 per cent of the $1.2 million prize money has been offered to the Wanderers' players should they lose their opening match of the tournament, the quarter-final against Mexican club Cruz Azul on December 13.

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When the Wanderers players all arrived in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on Monday night – 11 players and staff had arrived earlier on a morning flight – they were universally angered as they discussed the club's refusal to compromise.

"We have no intention of being greedy, we just want a fair deal. We certainly don't think we're asking for an amount that is unreasonable," one player told Fairfax Media. "We are hopeful of a resolution but the club isn't giving us much of a choice right now. We want to play in this tournament, to represent Australia and do the nation proud. They just haven't wanted to compromise at all.

"The club's attitude has been very disappointing. Surely what we are asking for - the same as what we had in the ACL - is a very reasonable request."

The players also noted the club only pays 35 per cent corporate tax on prize money, compared with 50 per cent for players.

The proposed deal from club management operates on a sliding scale. The further the team goes in the tournament, the larger the players' percentage of the prize money.

As it stands, if the Wanderers defeat Cruz Azul but lose in the next game, to arguably the world's best side, Real Madrid, the Wanderers' squad will share 25 per cent of the $2.4 million prize money, equal to $600,000 (before tax).

If they manage the unthinkable and topple the Spanish giants, earning a place in the final, they would earn 40 per cent of the $4.8 million on offer. Were they to go on and win the final, most probably against South American champions San Lorenzo, the Wanderers' players would gain 50 per cent of the $6 million reward.

In response to mounting criticism, the club issued a statement on Monday promising to invest the money into long-term projects, such as youth academies, improved training facilities and offices.

It is the first test of the regime of new owner Paul Lederer, who has been basking in the glory of the Wanderers' historic recent success since handing over $10 million to Football Federation Australia to secure the club's ownership.

Players have been asked not to speak publicly but several privately spoke to Fairfax Media and were unanimous in their frustration. One player said they were even open to "some back-and-forth" in negotiations but that the club had point-blank refused.

Most players had no idea that a problem with the payment would arise, with attention only drawn to the issue two weeks ago when it became apparent the club was unwilling to budge.

Some players are suggesting the pay deal should be reversed, saying they should receive 50 per cent of the prize money from a quarter-final exit, 40 per cent from a semi-final exit, 25 per cent from finishing runner-up – and just 10 per cent for being crowned champions.

While that could see the club land an extraordinary, multimillion-dollar pay-day should they win the tournament, the players themselves see it as a safer and fairer compromise if they lose first-up.