ZURICH (AP) — Barcelona has topped a global league table of clubs receiving compensation from FIFA for letting their players go to the 2010 World Cup.
Barcelona received $866,000 from a FIFA pool of $40 million spread among 400 clubs in 55 countries. Bayern Munich got $778,000 and Chelsea was third with $762,000.
The payments were based on a rate of $1,600 per player per day, starting two weeks before games began in South Africa. The meter stopped running the day after each player’s last match.
Money earned by each player was divided among clubs represented from 2008-10.
Compensation was agreed in a 2008 peace deal between FIFA, UEFA and European clubs which saw them drop lawsuits for players being injured on international duty.
