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European top-division clubs are receiving increased solidarity payments from UEFA this year to develop their youth programmes. The payments are made from the revenue generated in UEFA’s club competitions in the 2017/18 season.
A total amount of €125.44m from the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League revenue is being made available for distribution to clubs via their respective professional leagues or national associations. This compares with €124.37m for 2016/17.
Out of this total amount, 80% will be distributed to clubs of national associations and/or leagues with at least one club participating in the UEFA Champions League group stage, and 20% to national associations and/or leagues with no clubs taking part in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Clubs must use the payments for their youth development programmes and local community schemes.
Only clubs not participating in the group stage of either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League in 2017/18 will be entitled to a share of these solidarity payments.
The following amounts are available for the 2017/18 season:
• 17 associations and/or leagues with participants in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage (€100.36m, up from €99.49m in 2016/17);
• 38 associations and/or leagues without participants in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage (€25.09m, up from €24.87m in 2016/17).
The payments are based on the distribution system introduced three years ago, agreed by UEFA in close cooperation with the European Club Association (ECA).
The solidarity share earmarked for youth development programmes in clubs not involved in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League group stage represents 5% of the two competitions’ overall gross revenue.
In addition, this distribution to national associations and/or leagues is no longer based purely on their market value. Under the new distribution arrangements, 60% of the available amounts will be distributed in equal shares among all national associations and/or leagues, and 40% will be distributed according to the value of the TV market of each association in the UEFA Champions League, which results in greater benefits for clubs from non-top associations.
In principle, the money is to be shared equally among all top-division clubs not involved in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League group stages, but the national associations/leagues may propose to include second divisions clubs or different distribution criteria to be approved, provided they are based on defined youth training criteria.
Any club, in order to receive funding, must run an approved youth development programme in accordance with the national club licensing manual accredited by UEFA.
