Bradley Cross earns Kaizer Chiefs R2.8 million – without kicking a ball

Kaizer Chiefs are set to receive more than R3.2 million from FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme despite not having a single player set foot on the pitch during the World Cup finals. The bulk of that payout, approximately R2.8 million, comes from defender Bradley Cross, who was selected in Bafana Bafana’s 26-man squad for the tournament but remained an unused substitute throughout South Africa’s campaign. FIFA compensates clubs for releasing players named to the finals squad regardless of game time, and Cross’s inclusion alone accounts for the lion’s share of the financial windfall. Additionally, his selection in two World Cup qualifying match-day squads against Benin and Rwanda adds roughly R78,000, bringing the total generated by the left-back to around R2