Belgian Players Battle With FA Over Image Rights From 2014 World Cup Campaigns

Flemish magazine Dag Allemaal reported a “legal conflict is brewing between the Belgian national football team and the Belgian FA” (RBFA), according to LA MEUSE. The conflict involves a sum of money owed to players from “a number of advertising campaigns.” The case stems from advertising campaigns following the team’s 2014 World Cup qualification. The Belgian players “agreed to share their image for advertising campaigns, but were not fully paid and are still owed money.” Belgian captain Vincent Kompany “would be the one who could arrange a settlement for his teammates,” but the RBFA “appears reluctant to pay its players.” Dag Allemaal also reported that Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Axel Witsel and Nicolas Lombaerts “are ready to attack” the RBFA in court. A source said, “The money is there but it is blocked. The Belgian FA must clarify certain things before distributing the money.” The amounts owed add up to €33,000 ($35,000) per player (LA MEUSE, 12/1).