FIFA set to compensate Barcelona with almost €3 million for key player’s injury | OneFootball

Barcelona are set to receive almost €3 million in compensation from FIFA for the absence of their key centre-back, Ronald Araujo, due to a long-term injury sustained while representing Uruguay during the Copa America, reports Mundo Deportivo.

It must be noted that Araujo suffered the injury on 7 July in a match against Brazil, forcing him out of action for an extended period.

The compensation comes under FIFA’s Club Protection Programme, which offers financial support to clubs when players are injured while on national duty.

The programme applies if a player’s absence due to injury extends beyond 28 consecutive days.

For Araujo, this threshold was reached on 3 August, marking the beginning of FIFA’s payouts to Barcelona. These payments are calculated based on the player’s fixed salary and continue until the player is cleared to return.

Barcelona’s estimation

Barcelona will receive compensation for Ronald Araujo’s injury. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Barcelona estimate that Araujo could make his return on 15 December, in a La Liga fixture against Leganes. This timeline suggests that he will have been sidelined for 162 days since his injury occurred and 134 days under FIFA’s compensation coverage.

If this return date is confirmed, FIFA would have paid Barcelona a total of €2,753,432 by mid-December.

The Club Protection Programme is designed to ease the financial burden on clubs when their players face prolonged absences due to injuries sustained while fulfilling international commitments.

In Araujo’s case, the coverage began the moment he joined Uruguay’s training camp for the Copa America and extends until his recovery is complete.

This approach ensures that clubs are not left to shoulder the full cost of a player’s absence, particularly when injuries occur during official international matches.

For Barcelona, this compensation partially offsets the challenges posed by the defender’s absence, although the team will undoubtedly be eager to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible.