Doncaster Rovers has unexpectedly earned a financial boost of $31,000 as part of FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, acknowledging the club’s contribution to the development of two players who went on to feature in the Qatar World Cup.
FIFA’s initiative aims to distribute the financial benefits generated by the billion-dollar tournament and recognise the role of clubs worldwide in its success. As a result, Doncaster Rovers will receive over £23,600 from the global governing body, with the payment being divided between the club at the time of the players’ release for the World Cup and their previous clubs within the two-year qualification period.
Seny Dieng, who represented Senegal, and Matthew Smith, who played for Wales, both spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers before their World Cup appearances. Dieng, the goalkeeper, made 32 appearances during the 2019/20 season while on loan from QPR, while Smith, a midfielder, featured in 43 games during the subsequent season while on loan from Manchester City.
Expressing the significance of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “The FIFA Club Benefits Programme exemplifies the positive impact of the FIFA World Cup on club football globally. Club football plays a vital role within the football ecosystem, and this programme provides an excellent opportunity for us to support clubs.”
Doncaster Rovers will receive a total of $31,026 as part of the programme. FIFA announced that a total of $209 million (£159 million) will be distributed among 440 clubs, corresponding to the 837 players called up by their respective nations.
The compensation granted to clubs amounts to $10,950 (£8,359) per player per day, irrespective of the number of minutes played during the tournament. Although neither Dieng nor Smith featured for a single minute in the World Cup, both players were named as substitutes.
The allocated amount is calculated based on the duration each player spent at the World Cup, starting from the day they were released for international duty until the day following their final match. While Wales exited the tournament during the group stage, Senegal progressed to the Round of 16.
English clubs emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, receiving a total compensation of $37.7 million (£28.7 million) from the 2022 World Cup. Other lower league English clubs set to benefit include Lincoln City, Wigan Athletic, and fifth-tier side Boreham Wood. Additionally, Doncaster Rovers is expected to receive around 20 percent of the substantial fee that Charlton Athletic paid Cheltenham Town for the transfer of Alfie May.
Simon Young started working for City of Doncaster News in 2022. Simon grew up in Scawthorpe and always had a fascination with ‘City Life’. He always thought he would have to move away to experience that, but that’s no longer the case.
