Real Madrid set to earn over €1m from FIFA due to injuries

The past week has not been a good one for anyone connected to Real Madrid. Injuries, injuries and more injuries, it’s not getting any better for the Spanish giants.

The club confirmed an injury to French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on Friday. In a statement, Real said the 21-year-old has ruptured his external lateral ligament in right knee.

Barely forty eight hours later, the club also confirmed an injury to Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior. The club announced that the forward has been diagnosed with a rupture in the femoral biceps with involvement of the distal tendon in his left leg.

Both players got injured while on international duty with France and Brazil respectively.

Real set to receive compensation from FIFA

Real Madrid finds itself in a financial balancing act as FIFA’s Club Protection Programme (CPP) comes into play, compensating the club for the injuries sustained by key players Camavinga and Vinicius Junior while on international duty.

The intricacies of this compensation mechanism shed light on the delicate relationship between national teams and the clubs that nurture and pay these athletes.

According to the European Club Association, the CPP serves as an insurance policy, addressing the injury risks national team players face during international competitions.

These players, exclusively trained and financially supported by their clubs, must be insured for national team matches by the event organizers to mitigate the potential financial burden on the clubs in case of player disablement.

The CPP operates within certain financial parameters. It compensates clubs up to a maximum of $7.5 million per player per accident, calculated through a daily ‘pro rata’ compensation. This compensation is payable for a maximum of 365 days after the initial 28 days of disablement, with the first month not covered.

Real Madrid, in this case, is set to receive compensation from FIFA after the initial 28 days of Camavinga and Vinicius Junior’s injuries.

Crucially, the compensation is based on the fixed salary, including mandatory social security charges, that the club directly pays to the player. However, variable amounts, one-off payments, irregular payments, and bonuses—such as performance bonuses—are not included in the compensation calculation.

In the specific scenario involving Real Madrid, the club will not receive any compensation from FIFA during the initial 28 days of the players’ injuries.

Breakdown of amounts to be paid

Beyond this period, Real Madrid stands to gain €20,548 per day for each player, reflecting the daily compensation rate stipulated by the CPP. For instance, an eight-week absence for Camavinga would result in a compensation of €575,344, while a ten-week absence would increase this figure to €863,016—the same amount expected for Vinicius Junior’s injury.

While Real Madrid is poised to receive around €1.5 million from FIFA for the injuries to Camavinga and Vinicius Junior, the club faces a strategic decision.

Instead of directly benefiting from this compensation, Real Madrid plans to allocate these funds towards covering the wages due to both players during their time on the sidelines.

This decision underscores the complex financial landscape football clubs navigate, balancing compensation and player salaries to maintain stability amid unexpected setbacks.

In conclusion, FIFA’s Club Protection Programme emerges as a crucial component in safeguarding the financial interests of clubs affected by injuries during international duty. For Real Madrid, the compensation serves as a lifeline in mitigating the economic impact of player injuries, showcasing the intricate financial dynamics that govern the world of football.