By David Owen
August 17 – The finances of FIFA’s Club World Cup have been transformed by its switch to the Middle East.
Figures in FIFA’s 2009 financial report show that the competition, contested annually by the champion clubs from world football’s continental confederations, generated a surplus last year for the first time in its short history.
According to the report, the 2009 tournament produced revenue for FIFA of more than $37.4 million (£24 million).
Expenses for the event, staged in United Arab Emirates, weighed in at $29.5 million (£18.9 million) to leave a surplus of $7.9 million (£5 million).
Costs for the 2008 competition in Japan were lower at just over $25 million (£16 million).
However, revenue reached only $18.8 million (£12 million), producing an overall deficit of $6.2 million (£3.9 million).
Questioned on the turnaround, which might have positive ramifications for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, FIFA told insideworldfootball that “the tournament in the UAE was benefiting from a high contribution by the host association”.
This year’s competition – scheduled for December, a few days after the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are chosen - will again be in UAE.
Barcelona are the reigning champions, having beaten Estudiantes of Argentina 2-1 in last year’s final.
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