ZURICH (AP) - A $16 million FIFA fund to pay soccer players whose clubs disbanded leaving wages unpaid has had 441 applications.
FIFA said Monday 89% of cases, more than 390 players, involved European clubs and the other 11% were spread worldwide.
The fund was launched in February with the global group of players’ unions, FIFPro, which warned that some clubs closed down to avoid paying wages then re-started as a new operation.
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FIFA and FIFPro said the money could be “an important safety net” though was unable to cover all salaries owed.
FIFA set aside $5 million for retrospective claims dating from July 2015 to the end of this month. A further $11 million is allocated for the next three years.
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