October 24 – FIFA has been accused of not paying the final part of agreed sums to players across Europe whose contracts have not been honoured by their clubs.
Despite some payments being made, a raft of media organisations claim the remaining amounts, due in September 2023, are still outstanding.
Many affected players, some of whom are unemployed or retired, are reliant on the funds from FIFA’s Player Fund, which was established in 2020 to assist in such cases.
The total amount owed to 420 players is reported to be €3.7 million. When dividing that among the 420 affected players, it averages out to just under €9,000 each. In some cases, it’s even less.
In previous years, the money was typically disbursed about three months after promises were made by FIFA. Emails inquiring about the lack of payments this time have apparently repeatedly gone unanswered.
The alleged foot-dragging by FIFA comes amid an ongoing dispute with global players’ union, FIFPRO, over the expansion of the international match calendar, with a legal complaint lodged with the EU.
FIFPRo, supported by the European Leagues organisation, argues that the enlarged 32-team Club World Cup, set for next summer in the USA, places excessive demands on elite players, heightening the risk of injury. Rumours suggest the delay in FIFA payments is retribution for the EU complaint though there is no direct evidence of this.
Significantly, however, FIFA has yet to finalise television contracts or announce the prize money for its much-trumpeted tournament next summer.
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