World football administrators on Tuesday unveiled plans to help players left in difficulty by clubs who fail to pay their wages.
Several recent reports have highlighted the gravity of the problem caused by clubs failing to pay their players, notably after shutting down.
The USD 16 million fund agreed by players union FIFPRO and FIFA, world football's governing body, will offer income support worth USD 11 million over the next three years with the rest set aside for retroactive protection from July 2015 and June 2020.
"More than 50 clubs in 20 countries have shut in the last five years, plunging hundreds of footballers into uncertainty and hardship," said FIFPRO president Philippe Piat.
"This fund will provide valuable support to those players and families most in need."