FIFA under fire over 400 players’ relief fund

• Published On: 23 October 2024 at 12:21

According to AFP, more than 400 footballers have been waiting for payments from a FIFA-run fund set up to assist players who owe money to their clubs for more than a year.

The $4 million was apparently intended to be distributed among 420 players by September 30 of last year.

However, it has been reported that the payments designated for out-of-pocket players have yet to be made.

Emails and emails from the global players' union FIFPro to FIFA on the payment have reportedly gone unanswered.



Many of the players involved are thought to be based in Portugal, Greece, and Romania. Although the total of 420 includes players from all around the world.

The money is part of the FIFA Fund for Football Players (FFP), which was established in 2020 after an agreement between the governing body and FIFPro.

According to Inside FIFA, FIFA put aside $16 million at the fund's inception to provide "financial support to players who have not been paid and have no chance of duly receiving the wages agreed upon with their clubs".


The reports come after associations representing footballers and clubs in Europe, including FIFPro, filed a protest last week accusing FIFA of abusing its power regarding alterations to the international fixture calendar and tournament expansions.