A British newspaper reports Benni McCarthy has paid West Ham United some GBP 80,000 in fines for being overweight.
According to the Daily Mail, the South African striker received the pecuniary punishment 'after he fell behind their deadline to lose weight' and 'the fines built up after he missed a series of deadlines in a gruelling fitness programme'.
In pre-season Hammers chairman David Sullivan told the tabloid McCarthy's body fat ratio had soared to 24.2 per cent, with the optimum weight for a professional athlete between five and 12 per cent.
Since joining the London club from Blackburn Rovers in February 2010, McCarthy has done little to justify his GBP 2.5million price tag and GBP 40,000 per week wages.
But on Monday Avram Grant told the Daily Telegraph he expects the former Ajax Amsterdam and Porto marksman to play an important role this season.
"He's lost eight kilos and is a very good player and I'm sure he will help us - and that's what's important," said Grant.
The 32-year-old's weight is said to be around 85 kilograms now which is within the target range set by West Ham's medical team.
With the Hammers currently bottom of the English Premier League and in desperate need of goals, Grant is expected to recall McCarthy to his first-team squad to bolster his goal-shy attack.
http://sport.za.msn.com/TEAMtalk/football365/article.html?id=204059&t=Benni-Fined-GBP-For-Failing-To-Shed-The-Pie
