FIFA may be forced to pay Barcelona huge compensation fee after devastating Gavi injury
La Liga giants Barcelona could receive millions in compensation after Gavi suffered a potentially season-ending injury during Spain's Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who has participated in all 27 games since Luis de la Fuente was appointed Spain manager in December last year, is thought to have torn his ACL at the Jose Zorrilla stadium, Valladolid.
With no opposition players around him, the teenager appeared to land awkwardly on his knee. Gavi was soon substituted after just 26 minutes and broke down in tears on his departure.
On Monday morning, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the "initial indications" are clear and that Gavi has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament; an injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season.
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Barcelona are also said to be "furious" as they don't understand why their player featured in their final game when Spain had already qualified from Group A.
It has since emerged that Barcelona could receive a large compensation fee as one of their key players looks set to be sidelined for several months.
In fact, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo suggest the Catalan giants would be due at least €3 million in compensation from FIFA as part of their protection programme.
As per FIFA rules, clubs will receive compensation if a player is injured while on national team duty and is sidelined for more than 28 days. Barcelona, therefore, will start to be compensated on December 16.
A daily compensation of €20,548 euros per day with a maximum of 365 days is stated, meaning Barcelona would stand to receive a sum of around €3,082,200 if Gavi was out for six months.
If he was absent for eight months, then the Spanish club would pick up a total fee of €4,315,080.
After the full-time whistle, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente delivered a heartbreaking update on Gavi's situation as he looks set to miss next year's European Championship in Germany.
"He was broken, shattered, he didn't understand that this could happen to him," La Fuente said. "It's the hardest and most bitter moment I've ever experienced in soccer. He stepped badly and his knee is gone.
"Football is a risky activity. Uncontrollable. I am very sorry for the player. Really. I understand everyone's disgust, of Barcelona, of the player, of the Federation. We feel it in the soul."
Jack Kenmare