The FIFA Club Protection Programme (CPP) is an insurance policy covering the injury risk of national team players. Players, who are exclusively trained and paid for by the clubs, need to be insured for national team matches by the event organisers in case of disablement. The CPP ensures that FIFA provides compensation for the losses encountered by the club (player salary) during the period that the player is unavailable for his respective club.
For years, clubs sought an insurance policy that covers injury risk to national team players. ECA Members are in agreement that players who are exclusively trained and paid for by the clubs need to be insured during national team matches by the event organisers. If a player suffers bodily injuries caused by an accident during the release period of national team matches, the player can be totally disabled from participating in his club's training and matches; however, the club has an obligation to pay the player's salary based on the respective employment contract. Compensation paid to the club therefore seems an obvious and fair outcome in respect to the club's losses (payment of the player's salary) during the period the player is unable to perform his duty.
Following these requests by clubs, there was the introduction of such an insurance policy, a landmark moment in strengthening the relationship between clubs and National Associations. The programme is a major innovation aimed towards better dialogue and cooperation for the release of players, and one that benefits the entire football community.
The Club Protection Programme for the start of UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland/Ukraine (covering the injury risk of players released by European clubs only). Following the approval by the FIFA Congress in Budapest in May 2012, the Club Protection Programme was applied by FIFA under the same conditions worldwide. It covers all clubs that release players for men’s and women’s A-national team matches listed on the International Match Calendar, including the Olympic Games.
The Scope
The Club Protection Programme provides compensation for clubs in the event that national A-team players participating for their National Association suffer a temporary total disablement (TTD) as a result of bodily injuries caused by an accident. It does not however provide any compensation for sickness; cover permanent total disablement or death, or any costs of medical treatment.
Matches Covered
All matches between two men’s / women’s national A-teams played on the dates of the FIFA International Match Calendar, or on dates covered by the respective release period for such matches, are covered. It is to be highlighted that the players are protected during the whole release period whilst under the control of the national association, including whenever they are playing, practising, training, involved in training matches, travelling, or during any time they are absent.
Players Protected
The Programme protects all players during the release period of A-national team matches who are under an employment contract with a club, where an obligation to release the players exists. All professional players who are employed by clubs affiliated to a FIFA National Association are protected. It is to be noted that a 'professional player' is a player who has a contract in writing and signed with a club and is paid more for his footballing activity than the expenses he incurs for the same activity. All other players are to be considered 'amateurs' and therefore not covered under the programme.
Compensation
The programme compensates clubs up to a maximum of $7.5m per player per accident. The maximum of $7.5m is calculated at a daily 'pro rata' compensation which is payable for a maximum of 365 days after the first 28 days of disablement (initial 28 days not covered). The compensation payable is based on the fixed salary (including mandatory social security charges) that the club pays directly to the player. Compensation does not include variable amounts, one-off payments, payments not made on a regular basis, or any bonuses, including performance bonuses.
Existing Injuries
Players with injuries that already exist (i.e. injuries for which a player is receiving specific medical treatment when joining the A-national team for duty) are not insured for this part of the body. However, an exception to the rule exists for the Confederations' final tournaments: should an injured player be called up for a final tournament, the injury is covered if the national team doctor and the club doctor both agree in writing and prove through medical documentation that the player has finished his treatment and is able to resume his activity.
