FIFA set to compensate Barcelona for Ronald Araujo’s injury during international break
The international break has not been kind to Barcelona or Xavi Hernandez. Just as it seemed that the Catalans were finding their stride, the hiatus from club football came and brought with it a new set of hurdles.
On duty with their national teams, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo suffered serious injuries and will be out for at least three weeks each. Further, Frenkie de Jong, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri are thought to have suffered minor setbacks in their fitness too.
The case of the Uruguayan is said to be the most severe. Araujo will be out of action for more than a month and Mundo Deportivo report that FIFA will have to compensate Barcelona for the defender’s injury.
According to the international organisation’s Club Protection Program, FIFA will compensate a club if its player is out of action for more than 28 days through an injury suffered when on duty with the international team.
Prima facie, it appears that the South Americal centre-back will be out for longer than the stipulated duration.
Araujo suffered an injury to his right thigh during Uruguay’s friendly game against Iran on Friday. He is expected to miss El Clasico, the UCL ties against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan and potentially a part of the FIFA World Cup too through his injury.
The extent of compensation that the Catalans receive will depend on Araujo’s fixed salary. The compensation will end the day he returns to training and the payment will be made directly by FIFA to the club.
In Araujo and Kounde’s absence, Xavi will look towards Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen to take over as the regular centre-backs.
This also implies a bigger role for Gerard Pique who has largely been limited to the bench so far this season.