FIFA has come under criticism for allegedly failing to pay the final portion of compensation owed to players across Europe whose contracts were not honored by their respective clubs. Sources from various countries with direct knowledge of the situation report that while FIFA made some payments, the last installment remains unpaid, leaving many former players in financial distress.
These payments were expected to come from FIFA’s Fund for Players, a fund established in 2020 to assist footballers whose clubs failed to fulfill contractual obligations. The final payments were due in September 2023, but players are still waiting for the promised funds. Many of the affected athletes are now either unemployed or retired, and the money is considered crucial for their livelihood.
BBC Sport obtained an email sent by one national players’ union to FIFA, naming over 30 players who are struggling financially and urging the release of the remaining payments. According to the union, a total of 420 players are owed a combined sum of £3.09 million, highlighting the scale of the issue.
FIFA is currently engaged in a separate dispute with the global players’ union, FIFPRO, over proposed changes to the international match calendar. FIFPRO, supported by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), has raised concerns that the increased demands placed on elite players could lead to a higher risk of injury. The expanded 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the USA next summer, is a particular point of contention. FIFPRO argues that the additional matches will overburden players, while FIFA has yet to finalize television contracts or confirm prize money for the tournament.
FIFA has not yet commented on the unpaid compensation claims, but the unresolved payments are drawing increasing attention, especially given the financial difficulties faced by many of the affected players. The dispute over the match calendar and unpaid sums has further strained relations between FIFA and the players’ unions, raising questions about FIFA’s approach to supporting players at both ends of the footballing spectrum.
As the situation develops, players, unions, and fans alike are watching closely to see how FIFA addresses the growing pressure to fulfill its obligations and protect player welfare in the evolving landscape of international football.
