Fifa set to be forced into enormous payout to Saudi side Al-Hilal following horror injury to Neymar
NEYMAR’S injury agony could cost Fifa £6.5million.
Football chiefs face paying Al-Hilal huge compensation after the Saudi club’s new superstar was ruled out for the season.
Neymar was taken off in tears with a crocked ACL during Brazil’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss away to Uruguay on Tuesday.
The striker, 31, joined Al-Hilal from PSG in August on wages of around around £2.5million a week.
Fifa have to fork out a player’s salary from 28 days to a year – up to a maximum of £6.5m.
Yet that sum will still be small fry compared to Neymar’s overall pay package for the Saudi Pro League leaders.
The Barcelona legend’s contract in the Middle East could earn him up to £314million over two years.
Neymar suffered his latest injury when he tripped amid a shock defeat for Brazil.
Al-Hilal have all but given up hope he could return this term.
The club said in a statement: “The medical tests Neymar underwent confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee.
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“He will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later. Return stronger Neymar.”
But Al-Hilal baffled many fans by revealing the unfortunate news via a picture on social media of Neymar in distress.
One viewer responded: “Possibly the most unhinged graphic I’ve ever seen from a team account.”