Clubs want national sides to pay for injured players

Football club trade body the European Club Association (ECA) has demanded international bodies UEFA and FIFA set up an insurance scheme to cover players injured playing for their national sides.

The 197 Clubs in ECA reckon injured players cost them much more than they get in compensation for players winning caps in their country’s colours.

The ECA said it had been urged “to take a strong position regarding the issues related to both the international calendar and the players' injuries with the national team”.

It unanimously demanded:

  • direct involvement in the drawing up the international calendar
  • a formal consultation process between clubs and national teams regarding the physical conditions and injuries sustained while playing national team matches
  • the introduction of an insurance policy for all national team matches necessary.

ECA Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "Everyone is so busy in securing additional dates for this or that competition and we forget that the players are often the same and they are stretched to the limit increasing the risk of injuries.

“A harmonised calendar and a clear insurance policy will be one of our main goals and this could help further to harmonize the relationship between club football and national team football."

Representatives from 151 member clubs attended the ECA’s two-day General Assembly in Geneva.

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.

Topics