UEFA Allocates €233 Million to Clubs for Player Releases
In a significant move to support grassroots clubs, UEFA has unveiled a record distribution of €233 million to 901 clubs across all 55 member associations. This initiative, part of the Club Benefits Programme, aims to encourage clubs to release their players for national team competitions including recent UEFA tournaments.
Financial Allocations Made
Leading the pack, Premier League club Manchester City received an impressive €5.17 million ($5.94 million). This amount represents the highest allocation among UEFA clubs, followed closely by Spanish giant Real Madrid, which was awarded €4.79 million, and Italy’s Inter Milan, which garnered €4.65 million.
Support for All Levels of Football
The funding is designated for clubs participating at various levels, reaffirming UEFA’s commitment to the football community as a whole. Notably, even a 10th-tier club, Yorkshire Amateur from England, received €7,300, illustrating that the benefits reached clubs of all sizes.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin commented on the initiative, stating, “It is fantastic to see clubs of all sizes and levels, across the entire football pyramid, receiving financial rewards for their vital role in developing players who contribute to the success of our national team competitions — including the highly successful UEFA Euro 2024 final tournament. Every success of our competitions is a shared one, and this benefits programme is another testament to that principle … When football thrives, everyone benefits.”
Distribution Framework
The foundation of this financial distribution lies in the equal shares clubs receive for each player they release for UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying matches. Additionally, clubs earn a fixed amount per player for every day their players are engaged during the final tournament.
Increased Funding for Future Competitions
This cycle’s payouts represented a notable increase in funding, rising to €100 million for player releases from the previous €70 million. Furthermore, allocations for the European Championship have also risen from €130 million to €140 million, benefiting 196 clubs from 29 UEFA member associations.
Conclusion
The UEFA Club Benefits Programme not only reflects financial support for clubs but also emphasizes the crucial role these clubs play in player development and national team success. This record investment underscores UEFA’s commitment to the sustainability and vitality of football at every competitive level.