Athletics: Campbell's anger at appearance pay-cut

Darren Campbell faces a difficult task in qualifying for this summer's Commonwealth Games – as well as a 50 per cent pay cut as he returns from a hamstring injury.

England's selectors had originally planned to pre-select every medallist from the last Olympics and last year's World Championship but Campbell – runner up over 200 metres in Sydney – presented a major headache.

Last summer the reigning European 100m champion's season was ruined by the injury and selectors felt it unfair if an automatic place was awarded to him in either sprint event.

A compromise saw them guaranteed a place only to Jonathan Edwards, England's sole gold medallist from the two championships – although the world triple jump record holder must participate in next month's English trials.

The decision means Campbell, javelin silver medallist Steve Backley, 400m and 800m bronze medallists Katharine Merry and Kelly Holmes, plus decathlon world bronze medallist Dean Macey must fight for their Commonwealth places.

The Manchester-born Campbell returned to his home town yesterday and pulled no punches as he hit back at event organisers who have severely sliced into his appearance money.

The domestic schedule opens at Loughborough on 18 May, but Campbell might not appear on the start line as he believes he is worth more money than is being offered. He anticipated a pay cut – but not such a severe one.

Campbell said: "The contract they want me to sign for three meetings involves a fee which is almost half what I was offered for last season and less than four years ago, when I won the European title.

"It doesn't show much faith in me. Their arguments don't make sense. This is about respect and I'm taking it personally."

But the organisers Fast Track believe the offer is a fair one, claiming substantial bonuses for quick times and Commonwealth or European success offset the cuts.