FIFA loophole costs Arsenal a fortune

FIFA only pays a limited amount to players injured while on national team duty.

The 27-year-old limped off the pitch in Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates on November 15. Gabriel remained in London for tests and treatment after the match. BBC Sport said he could be out for at least four weeks and could be out until January.

This is a big loss for coach Mikel Arteta, because Gabriel started all 11 Premier League matches this season and contributed to Arsenal owning the most solid defense in the league. However, what makes the "Gunners" equally headache is the cost arising from the loophole in FIFA's player protection program.

According to The Athletic , FIFA has a Club Protection Programme fund to support the payment of wages to players injured while serving the team. But the compensation is limited to around £120,000/week, lower than Gabriel's minimum income of £150,000/week under his contract signed in June 2025.

That means Arsenal will have to pay out around £30,000 a week to cover the difference while the centre-back is out. If Gabriel is out for four weeks, Arsenal will lose around £120,000; if he is out for 10 weeks - until the end of January - the figure could rise to nearly £300,000.

In terms of technical skills, Arteta still has an alternative option like Cristhian Mosquera. But another option, Riccardo Calafiori, is also uncertain. The Italian defender had physical problems during the November training session.

In the context of a dense schedule, losing two central defenders at the same time could be a real headache for Arsenal at the crucial stage of the season.

Source: https://znews.vn/lo-hong-cua-fifa-khien-arsenal-mat-bon-tien-post1603978.html