Soccer: Multimillion dollar Fifa handout

With players like David Mulligan, the Wellington Phoenix stand to do well out of the Fifa player development handout. Photo / Getty Images

As many as 11 New Zealand clubs stand to share in a US$40 million ($56.5 million) Fifa handout to compensate clubs with players at the World Cup.

Fifa will for the first time hand out money to clubs who have players at June's World Cup as remuneration for player development.

A formula has been worked out which will see each player earn US$1600 ($2260) per day as long as their team remains in the competition. This will be paid to clubs for players who have represented them over the previous two years.

With six players virtually guaranteed a place on the 23-man All Whites squad, the Wellington Phoenix will be the biggest beneficiary in this country.

The club will also receive money for David Mulligan, should he be selected - he was recently released but spent the past two years in Wellington - as well as Shane Smeltz and Glen Moss, who were both on their books in 2008/09.

Assuming the All Whites don't make it past the first round, the Phoenix could make around US$192,000 ($271,000).

Payments are made from June 10 until each team is eliminated, which amounts to US$24,000 for each player.

The Phoenix are owned by businessman Terry Serepisos, whose personal fortune is estimated at $140 million. He has said it costs him $1 million a year to finance the club, but is happy to remain its benefactor.

The payouts are arguably more significant for New Zealand's NZFC and winter league clubs.

Team Wellington can expect half shares for both Andy Barron and James Bannatyne, with the rest going to their winter league clubs Miramar and Petone respectively.

Auckland City will bank on money for Ivan Vicelich (sister club Central United will also cash in because he was loaned out to the winter league club last season) and will also hope both Chad Coombes and Jason Hayne make the final cut.

Coombes also played two seasons with Lynn Avon, while Hayne has played for Manawatu and a club on the Gold Coast.

"This money would be very important for a club like ours," Auckland City chairman Ivan Vuksich said.

"The money we managed to retain after the Club World Cup, and if we get any players into the All Whites, will go into a community project we have committed to."

It's understood they are building an artificial turf with a community group.

Auckland have had a good year financially, earning US$1.5 million from their fifth place at the Club World Cup.

Waitakere United will be pinning their hopes on Aaron Scott going to the World Cup.

Scott also played a winter season with Hamilton club Melville.

Waitakere and the Phoenix will benefit further if Jeremy Christie is selected and Hawke's Bay will get a slice if Jeremy Brockie earns a recall.

New Zealand Football will administer the payouts, hoping to ensure there are no disputes.

The end of the present NZFC season will serve as the cutoff, meaning winter league clubs won't be tempted to entice players across this season in the hope of sharing in the spoils.