European clubs earn big

The deal announced at FIFA's executive commitee meeting in Zurich means football's governing body will pay 193.6 million euros ($209 million) to clubs during both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The decision was reached with the 214-member European Club Association (ECA) and sees a major rise from the 37 million euros paid in 2010 and 65 million euros in 2014.

The deal will see the money distributed among the clubs which release players for the two next World Cups. Top clubs will now also have a greater say in organizing the international match calendar, apparently.

ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who had called for a review of compensation to Europe's clubs for a World Cup in November and December, signed the agreement with FIFA president Joseph Blatter and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke on Friday.

Blatter was quoted in a FIFA statement as saying "we are taking a huge step forward in promoting relations between FIFA and the clubs in a spirit of mutual and constructive cooperation."

Mutual cooperation between clubs and FIFA

"The agreement puts the emphasis on fundamental principles such as the promotion of training and player development as well as the sporting integrity of the competitions, in the interests of the game and its appeal to the public," the FIFA statement said.

The world’s governing body is currently sitting on reserves of 1.4 billion euros, having made some 313 million euros profit in the four year period leading up to the 2014 World Cup.

This week, FIFA also announced December 18 as the fixed date for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. It was also revealed that FIFA will decide the 2026 World Cup hosts in May 2017. The United States are favorites to host the tournament in 11 years time.

apc/al (AFP, AP, dpa)