A new proposed UEFA funding model for clubs in Ireland has raised huge concerns at Finn Harps and other League of Ireland First Division clubs.
The Irish Independent has reported that Irish clubs are set for a massive windfall as UEFA aims to spread the massive increase in Champions League revenue amongst leagues that do not have a Champions League Group Phase participant currently.
That revenue sharing boost would see UEFA’s solidarity payments to Irish clubs skyrocket from the current €1.4 million per year to €4 million – but the rumoured split of said revenue has raised serious concerns at the First Division level.
BUEFA regulations on how that new money is to be divided will severely hamper First Division sides, who currently receive a 50/50 split in solidarity revenue, and the same €70,000 in solidarity payments that all Premier Division teams do.
Instead, the new UEFA regulations mean that only 15% of the first €3 million in solidarity money given to the FAI can be allocated to teams below the Premier Division, with the final €1 million to be spread evenly between the ten Premier Division sides.
The Irish Independent also reports that the first year of these increased payments, 2025, will see additional bonuses handed out to all ten Premier Division sides – meaning that while those ten clubs are in line to receive as much as €700,000 each, First Division clubs will see a reduction in their UEFA payments to just €45,000 per year.
Even in years after 2025, if no Irish team achieves group stage football Premier Division teams will still be in line to pocket well over €300,000 – putting First Division sides like Finn Harps at an even more serious financial disadvantage than before.
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New UEFA funding model for League of Ireland could have huge impact on Finn Harps was last modified: October 3rd, 2024 by