West Ham United set for FIFA compensation after new Niclas Fullkrug injury update
West Ham United are set to be compensated by the FIFA Club Protection Programme after a new Niclas Fullkrug update emerged, according to Sean Whetstone.
Whetstone reported via the West Ham Football X account (2 October) that the German striker has taken longer than expected to recover from a foot injury and is expected to miss the clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday (5 October).
Fullkrug is understood to have sustained the injury whilst away with Germany on international duty, and the Club Protection Programme is an insurance policy that pays the wages of a player if they are injured whilst away with their national side.
The first 28 days of a player’s absence are not covered and with the injury believed to have occurred on 7 September, Fullkrug’s wages are be set to be compensated from 6 October.
What has happened to West Ham star Niclas Fullkrug at the London Stadium?
It is incredibly frustrating that the player signed to solve the Hammers’ striker problem at the London Stadium has only managed to play an hour of football in the first six games of the Premier League season.
In Fullkrug, the Irons believed they had found a reliable forward that could consistently deliver for Julen Lopetegui’s side at the top end of the pitch. So far, however, he has not even been able to start a Premier League fixture.
Tim Steidten and the team around him at the London Stadium are likely regretting their decision not to secure another backup forward this summer as they are now back to square one.
West Ham are relying on both Michail Antonio and Danny Ings to score the goals needed to fire them up the Premier League table. Two players who were believed to be close to the exit door only a matter of weeks ago [Evening Standard, 21 May].
The only saving grace for the Irons is the fact that they will at least be compensated in some capacity by FIFA.
It is unlikely to soften the blow immensely, but it does at least ease the financial burden of Fullkrug’s knock.
