By David Owen

FIFA has revealed that almost €40 million was paid to clubs under its inaugural Club Protection Programme ©Getty ImagesFIFA has revealed that almost €40 million (£26 million/€34 million) was paid to clubs under its inaugural Club Protection Programme (CPP) running from September 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.


All told, 126 cases were settled and €39.3 million (£25.4 million/€33.5 million) paid out under the scheme, which compensates clubs when their players are injured on international duty.

Under CPP, the temporary total disablement of a player hurt in an international match between 1 September 2012 and 31 December 2014 could trigger payments capped at €7.5 million (£5 million/€6.4 million) per claim.

The amount insured was the player's annual fixed salary, with a maximum daily amount of €20,548 (£13,500/€17,700) for a maximum period of 365 days.

Footballers injured during major international tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, were among those compensated ©AFP/Getty ImagesFootballers injured during major international tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, were among those compensated ©AFP/Getty Images



These terms will remain unchanged for a renewed scheme covering the 2015 to 2018 period.

This time, however, women's international 'A' matches, including this year's women's World Cup in Canada, are covered.

Of the first (€27 million £17.8 million/€23.2 million) in compensation money, paid out over the first 18 months in which CPP was operating, European clubs received no less than 98 per cent.

The latest figure was revealed at a meeting of FIFA's committee for club football, chaired by Ivory Coast's Jacques Anouma and opened by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in Zurich.

Separately, FIFA has served notice that the 2015-18 CPP will cover "the entire preparation period" for the 2015 Women's World Cup, 2016 Olympic football tournaments, 2017 Confederations Cup and 2018 World Cup "and all friendly matches within this period".

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