Explanation of no-cure-no-pay fee

How is the no-cure-no-pay fee determined?

The costs and risks of the collective action are borne by the litigation funder. You pay nothing upfront. Only if you receive compensation from FIFA and/or the national football associations will a fee become payable. This principle is called no cure, no pay: no result means no cost to you.

The fee level depends on several factors:

  • the total costs involved (for instance, lawyers, experts, and research expenses) and the duration of the proceedings;
    Lower costs and a shorter process will result in a lower fee.
  • whether part or all of the expenses can be recovered from FIFA and/or the national football associations; and
  • the total amount that FIFA and/or the national football associations must pay to the affected players.

If the total compensation payable by FIFA and/or the national football associations increases, the fee percentage decreases. The fee is based on a sliding percentage scale, ranging from a net 25 % at lower compensation levels to a net 14 % at higher compensation levels.

We understand this is a complex calculation that depends on several uncertain factors. What matters for you is that the no cure no pay fee can never exceed a net 25 % of your total compensation, plus procedural costs. If VAT (sales tax) is due, this may further reduce the amount you ultimately receive.

Note: this represents the least favourable scenario—where compensation is low, costs are high, and proceedings take a long time. If a settlement is reached sooner, or if FIFA and/or the national football associations are ordered to pay higher compensation, the percentage fee will be considerably lower.

Example calculations

The following examples illustrate how the fee works in practice. Assumptions:

  • 100,000 affected players receive compensation;
  • current VAT rate: 21 % (if applicable);
  • procedure duration: 5 years;
  • total procedural costs: EUR 5 million.

These are illustrative examples only; they do not predict actual outcomes or chances of success. Justice for Players Foundation has no obligation to achieve a minimum compensation.

Example 1

Average compensation: EUR 1,000 per player.
You would pay EUR 287.50 (28.75 %) as the fee, or EUR 337.38 (33.74 %) if VAT applies. You would therefore receive EUR 712.50 or EUR 662.62 after VAT.

Example 2

Average compensation: EUR 5,000 per player.
You would pay EUR 706.25 (14.13 %) as the fee, or EUR 904.56 (18.09 %) if VAT applies. You would therefore receive EUR 4,293.75 or EUR 4,095.44 after VAT.

Example 3

Average compensation: EUR 10,000 per player.
You would pay EUR 1,048.75 (10.49 %) as the fee, or EUR 1,318.99 (13.19 %) if VAT applies. You would therefore receive EUR 8,951.25 or EUR 8,681.01 after VAT.