By David Owen
May 1 – Spare a thought for FIFA Congress delegates whose efforts to collect the $250 per diems to which they are entitled at this year’s event in Moscow may be complicated by pesky “Russian legislation”.
All is explained in a letter dispatched yesterday to member associations by Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General.
“Similar to the procedure at past Congresses,” the missive confides, “FIFA intends to pay daily compensation of $250 up to a maximum of $1,000 to each participating delegate representing a FIFA member association or a confederation recognised by FIFA.
“Please be aware that according to Russian legislation, FIFA cannot pay any compensation to delegates in Russia in cash, whether in roubles or in any other currency.
“Due to this fact, FIFA has instead decided to transfer these daily allowances directly to the bank account of each member association and confederation.
“In order to facilitate these payments, the Congress delegates will need to complete an allowance form to confirm their participation in the Congress.
“This process will be facilitated by FIFA Finance staff on site in Moscow, and the payments will be executed shortly after the Congress.
“The member associations and confederations are requested to then process the daily allowance payments to each individual participating delegate upon receipt of the payment from FIFA.”
One hates to be overly pessimistic, but it would hardly come as a surprise if these arrangements caused a bit of a kerfuffle among destitute delegates who have forgotten to bring enough local currency with them to the Russian capital.
One hopes it does not prove too much of a distraction from the business at hand. This may, of course, include a vote on who should host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The race pits the USA-Canada-Mexico behemoth against Morocco.
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