Over 400 footballers have been left in financial limbo for more than a year, waiting for payments from a FIFA-administered fund intended to support players owed wages by their clubs.
Originally, $4 million was allocated to be distributed among 420 players by September 30 of the previous year. However, sources indicate that these payments have yet to be processed, leaving many players in dire need of financial support.
Efforts by the global players’ union FIFPro to contact FIFA regarding the delayed payments have reportedly gone unanswered, with emails and letters chasing up the issue falling into silence.
Most of the affected players are believed to be located in Portugal, Greece, and Romania, although the group comprises individuals from various countries worldwide.
The funds in question are part of the FIFA Fund for Football Players (FFP), established in 2020 following an agreement between FIFA and FIFPro. At its inception, FIFA earmarked $16 million for the fund, aimed at providing financial support to players who have not been paid and have no chance of duly receiving the wages agreed with their clubs, as stated by Inside FIFA.
These revelations come on the heels of a complaint filed last week by various bodies representing footballers and clubs in Europe, including FIFPro, which accuses FIFA of misusing its authority over recent changes to the international match calendar and tournament expansions.