Jose Antonio Camacho, who was recently fired as coach of the Chinese men's national soccer team, appealed to FIFA on Thursday after the Chinese Football Association (CFA) refused to pay the large compensation, Beijing Times reported. 

Camacho reacts during an international friendly match between China and Vietnam in Wuhan, June 8, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

CFA officials said they “respect Camacho’s decision,” and will fight theappeal.

Negotiations between Camacho‘s team of lawyers and CFA collapsed last week. Camacho and his team demanded CFA pay 51.5 million yuan (€6.45 million) in severance for ending his three-year contract 18 months early, which CFA refused to pay in full, and an income tax bill of 25 million yuan (€3.14 million), which CFA also refused to pay.

Guangzhou-based Soccer News said Monday that FIFA is likely to rule against CFA, as FIFA usually sides against those who break contracts, but CFA may be able to pay a lighter compensation, as FIFA has done that in past rulings.