An extra $31.7 million has been agreed upon but has yet to be disbursed.
The FIFA Clearing House is responsible for distributing these funds to over 5,000 grassroots and professional clubs. FIFA provided an update on the progress made over the past two years by the clearing house, which was established in November 2022 to enhance transparency in the complex multi-billion dollar transfer market. The initiative also aims to ensure that smaller clubs receive the payments they are owed from future player sales.
For instance, when Moisés Caicedo transferred from Brighton to Chelsea for a British record fee, his former clubs in Ecuador were eligible to receive a share of the substantial $145 million transfer fee.
Lenín Bolaños, president of CD Espoli, expressed in the FIFA report that the funds received were a "dream," with plans to invest in a training facility, medical clinic, and gym.
Following a recent European court ruling involving former France midfielder Lassana Diarra, certain aspects of FIFA's transfer market regulations, established in 2001, are currently under review.
Under the existing FIFA framework, former clubs that trained players between the ages of 12 and 21 are entitled to receive up to 5% of any future transfer fee. However, many clubs were often unaware of completed transfers or lacked the necessary expertise to pursue claims. The online process is now overseen by the FIFA finance house, which informs purchasing clubs of approved payments that must be settled within 30 days.
FIFA reported that the richest buying markets, England and Saudi Arabia, have contributed the most in "training rewards," with payments of $50.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively, over the past two years.
The primary beneficiaries of funding have been clubs from the Netherlands, receiving $8.7 million, followed by those in France with $7.8 million, and Argentina with $7.1 million.
According to the FIFA report, one contributing factor to the delays is the non-compliance of clubs with the established system. The report indicates that over 1,600 clubs across more than 100 nations have received accreditation.
FIFA's chief legal officer, Emilio García, noted in the comprehensive 52-page report that significant challenges remain and there are numerous areas that require enhancement.