When Newcastle United invested $70 million USD to bring Yoane Wissa to St. James’ Park this summer, they expected him to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. Instead, the Congolese striker has yet to play a single competitive minute for the club. A serious knee injury suffered just a week after signing left Newcastle without their marquee attacking reinforcement—yet surprisingly, not responsible for his salary.

Thanks to FIFA’s Club Protection Programme, the governing body has covered Wissa’s wages for the past seven weeks, easing a financial burden during an already complicated season for the Magpies. It’s an unusual situation, but one that has provided vital relief as the club navigates injuries, inconsistent performances, and a congested fixture list.

Wissa suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty for the Democratic Republic of Congo, just days after leaving Brentford. Because the injury occurred while representing his country—not his club—he became eligible for FIFA’s insurance system. The Club Protection Programme, also used during international tournaments and friendlies, compensates clubs when players are injured with their national teams and remain unavailable for more than 28 consecutive days.

That threshold was reached in early October, and since October 7, FIFA has been footing the bill. While the exact figure isn’t public, top Premier League forwards typically earn between $120,000 to $180,000 USD per week, meaning Newcastle may have saved more than $900,000 USD already.

It’s a rare case where the administrative machinery of world football has worked in a club’s favor rather than against it. And given that Newcastle’s summer activity was shaped heavily by profitability and sustainability rules, avoiding nearly seven figures in unexpected cost has real value.

The striker’s return now appears closer than ever. Wissa has rejoined full first-team training, a sight that reportedly lifted morale inside the club. Eddie Howe and his staff are taking a cautious approach, building his workload like a pre-season program to protect him from re-injury.

That caution is understandable. Wissa arrived after scoring 20 goals last season for Brentford and was brought in to help fill the massive scoring void left by Alexander Isak’s British-record transfer to Liverpool. The plan was for Wissa to be part of a multi-striker attack alongside Nick Woltemade, who has impressed early with six goals since joining from Stuttgart.

Wissa’s recovery is timely — but there is another complication looming: the Africa Cup of Nations.