Barcelona 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 (£557,000) from a FIFA pool of $40 million (£25.3million) spread among 400 clubs in 55 countries, according to FIFA figures released Thursday. Bayern Munich got $778,000 (£501,000) and Chelsea was third with $762,000 (£491,000), while American clubs shared $423,200 (£273,000).

“We are pleased that we can share the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the clubs by providing them a share of the benefits,” FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a statement.

FIFA earned broadcasting and commercial revenues of around $3.4 billion (£2.2billion) in its four-year financial cycle leading up to the tournament in South Africa. The governing body’s profits are scheduled to be announced in March, when its annual financial report is published.

English clubs were best rewarded in the scheme, sharing a combined $5.95 million (£3.8m). German clubs were next, receiving $4.74 million (£3.05m).

World Cup winner Spain was fourth on the list. Its clubs shared $3.7 million (£2.4m).

The payments were based on a rate of $1,600 (£1,030) 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 from participation was divided among clubs that players 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.

Barcelona topped the table after sending 13 players to the World Cup, including seven with champion Spain. Bayern Munich’s contingent included seven with semifinalist Germany, plus Netherlands pair Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel, who reached the final.

Chelsea sent 13 players from six different countries, though none reached the quarterfinal stage. Another English club, Liverpool, was fourth-best rewarded with $695,600 (£449,000), and Real Madrid was next with $678,133 (£437,500).

Payments applied only to players who were selected for one of the 32 nations’ 23-man squads. Clubs whose players appeared in qualifying matches did not share in the cash.

The compensation scheme debuted at the 16-nation 2008 European Championship, when UEFA distributed $55 million (£35.5 million). Germany’s Werder Bremen got almost $1.39 million (£897,000) to top the list of 180 clubs from 24 different countries receiving payments.

FIFA said it has allocated $70 million (£45 million) in compensation for clubs whose players go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The top five clubs receiving a share of the benefits of the 2010 FIFA World Cup were:
1. FC Barcelona with a total payment of USD 866,267 (£557,000); 2: FC Bayern München (USD 778,667 / £501,000); 3: Chelsea FC (USD 762,667 / £491,000); 4: Liverpool FC (USD 695,600 / £449,000); 5: Real Madrid CF (USD 678,133 / £437,500).

Click here for the full final payment details per Member Association.

Source: ESPN

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