Union of European Clubs say they are yet to receive information on when payments might be received
Clubs across the globe are getting frustrated as Fifa delays making agreed payments reaching £185m from the Club World Cup last summer.
The funds were promised by the world football governing body as solidarity payments for clubs who did not participate in the Club World Cup. The intention is to help with the development of football across various continents.
Reports say that a significant number of clubs in Europe and beyond rely heavily on such payments to keep operating, with cash as low as £20,000 making a world of difference to clubs outside of the biggest leagues. However, over seven months after the tournament was held in the US last year, there is still no word about the money or any structure for its disbursement by Fifa.
The Club World Cup received a prize fund of close to £1bn, with £740m going to teams who participated in the competition. Those payments have already been made while the solidarity fund has been delayed.
Fifa is far from likely to leave the money unpaid, but reports are that clubs, especially in less financially established leagues, are growing impatient.
A source from the Union of European Clubs (UEC) told the Guardian that they were yet to receive information on when payments might be received.
“UEC as an organisation has not heard anything and no member clubs we have consulted with have heard anything either,” said the source.
However, people close to Fifa have said the body is in talks with clubs and confederations to come up with the most suitable way to share the funds.
