World’s football governing body FIFA says the federation has recently approved the payment of $4 million in financial compensation to a new set of 225 players as part of the landmark agreement struck between FIFA and FIFPRO to help struggling footballers whose clubs have been unable to make contractual payments.

In 2020, FIFA and FIFPRO, the body which represents professional footballers across the globe, reached an agreement to launch a FIFA Fund for Football Players (FIFA FFP) initiative to provide financial assistance to players who have not been paid and without any viable chance of ever receiving the payment agreed upon with their respective clubs.

A total of $16 million was allocated for the fund which was divided across four cycles – with the first and second cycles completed, FIFA is finalising the payment of the sum of $4 million for the third phase to 225 players whose applications have been approved. It would cover the period from January to December 2021 (inclusive).

The first phase cover the period of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020 in which $5 million was paid out; the second phase was the payment of $3 million for the period of July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020; the third phase would be the payment of $4 million for the January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.

Meanwhile, the concluding phase will cover January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, in which the sum of $4 million would also be paid out – FIFA is now in the process of analysing applications relating to the period.

“Through our fruitful cooperation with FIFPRO, we’ve been able to provide relief to 1,370 players in recent years. This is another concrete example of how FIFA and FIFPRO stand in solidarity with those who need it the most through an efficient mechanism that helps the football community as a whole,” commented Ornella Desirée Bellia, FIFA Director of Professional Football Relations & Development. 

“Given that it’s deeply frustrating for players not to receive their salaries, we’re pleased that the FIFA FFP is again providing them with a safety net to ensure that they receive part of what they are owed. We’re also pleased to see that the pay‑outs made by the fund have increased significantly from previous years and FIFA is to be commended for its dedication to this project,” said Roy Vermeer, FIFPRO’s Legal Director.