$300k boost to 207 FIFA members

"generous" FIFA

FIFA, the international governing body of football, has finally taken a decision that would gain acceptance from one and all. After the debatable decision of handing the 2018 World Cup to Russia and 2022 World Cup to Qatar, FIFA has now decided to share the profit it made from the successful conclusion of the 19^th edition of the World Cup with 207 of its members countries. Each member will receive $300k under FIFA’s Financial Assistance Programme (FAP). The payment is in addition to the $250k each member nation gets annually for the development and organizing all football related events.

Also, the six football confederations viz. AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA will receive a bonus of $2.5 million each.

FIFA has 208 countries as its member but at the moment, the FA of Brunei Darussalam is suspended because of government’s interference in football affairs and thus is the only country that would not benefit from this scheme. On the official website, FIFA mentioned that it expects the funds to be invested first and foremost in the development of football and to enable FIFA member associations to take part in FIFA competitions. They are to be used in accordance with the FAP Regulations. Member associations can also use this bonus as additional funding for existing or future Goal projects.

Earlier, FIFA had decided to give away big money for the World Cup participating teams including maximum prize money of $30 million to the winning team and a minimum of $8 million to each team that went crashing out in the first round itself. In addition, each team was given $1 million as “preparation costs”. Also, a total sum of around $40 million was paid to the domestic clubs of the players representing their national team in the tournament.

Blatter – Ready for another tenure?

FIFA’s annual financial report in March is expected to reveal total commercial revenues of around $3.4 billion for the four-year cycle of 2007-2010. This is good news for FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is up for re-election on June 1 for a successive fourth four-year term in office. No challenger has declared an intention to run against him yet. The deadline for candidates is April 1.