(Reuters) – UEFA’s new distribution model, announced on Wednesday, will see clubs that fail to qualify for their competitions receiving a higher portion of revenue from the European governing body starting from next season. In a statement, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) revealed a renewed working agreement until 2030 aiming to enhance long-term stability and sustainable growth in European club football. This change will coincide with the start of the 2024-25 season, which will also witness a redesigned format in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
For the 2024-2027 cycle, the new model entails a rise in the distribution of revenue to non-participating clubs from 4% to 7% of UEFA’s earnings from the three competitions. The European Leagues Association, representing professional soccer leagues in Europe, estimated that this adjustment would result in 308 million euros ($330.02 million) being shared among the non-participating clubs, an increase from the current 175 million euros. In a statement, the association emphasized that this development would protect the competitiveness of all clubs in Europe both on and off the field, while also maintaining investments in youth and talent development.
UEFA indicated that further details about the new system will be disclosed at a later date. The change in revenue distribution aims to support clubs across Europe in preserving their competitiveness in various aspects, and it will aid them in continuing their investments in youth and talent development.
The new distribution model introduced by UEFA will allocate a higher proportion of revenue to clubs that fail to qualify for its competitions, starting from the upcoming season. UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have entered into a renewed working agreement till 2030, intending to enhance the long-term stability and sustainable growth of European club football. This modification will align with the introduction of a revised format in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, all set to commence in the 2024-25 season.
Within the 2024-2027 cycle, the revised model will allocate 7% of UEFA’s earnings from the three competitions to clubs that are not participating, an increase from the current 4%. As a result, the European Leagues Association forecasts a total distribution of 308 million euros ($330.02 million) to non-participating clubs, a surge from the current amount of 175 million euros. In response, the association released a statement highlighting the significance of this announcement in protecting the competitiveness of all clubs in Europe in various aspects, enabling them to focus on investments in youth and talent development.
UEFA plans to disclose additional information regarding the new system at a later stage. This change in revenue distribution aims to provide support to clubs across Europe, ensuring the preservation of their competitiveness both on and off the pitch, while also facilitating their investments in youth and talent development.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Credit: The Star : Sport Feed
