FIFA's Mid-Year Report Reveals That Int'l Transfer Spendings Decreased By $294M

FIFA announced that "the global recession cut spending in soccer's int'l player-transfer market" by 34% in the first half of the year, according to Tariq Panja of BLOOMBERG. FIFA said that the drop in transfer and loan payments for players was "due to tougher conditions in the global economy and financial control measures imposed on teams in Europe." The total number of cross-border player moves recorded on FIFA's Transfer Matching System fell 9% to 4,973, and 73% of those were "free agents changing teams." Costs of player sales and loans for the six months to June 30 declined to $576M. Brazil "had the busiest transfer market" with 700 players entering or leaving South America's most populous nation," according to FIFA's report. England placed second with 326 player movements. Clubs in Russia "had the biggest outlay," spending $64.4M while Brazil's teams "were the largest recipients," banking $64.9M in trades (BLOOMBERG, 7/23). The DPA reported that clubs spent a third less compared to the first six months of last year. In '11, clubs spent $870M over the same time (DPA, 7/23).

To view the full report in English click here. To view the full report in German click here.