UEFA urged to increase payments to non-elite clubs to reward player development
Last year, UEFA said the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Super Cup would generate a gross revenue of 4.4 billion euros, opens new tab in the 2024-25 season, 5% of which would be 220 million euros ($244.79 million).
Under the proposed system, titled 'Player Development Reward' (PDR), only clubs who did not reach the league phase of the Champions League would be eligible for payouts, which would be based on minutes played in UEFA competitions and prize money earned by players.
In a statement, the UEC, which represents non-elite professional clubs, said the PDR is "a pragmatic, merit-based approach to restoring fairness and balance in the football ecosystem...
"The concept has already been presented to the European Commission and to key stakeholders across football, receiving encouraging initial feedback," it added.
"The core principle is clear: clubs that invest in player development should be fairly rewarded when those players contribute to the success of European competitions."
The UEC added that nearly 1,500 clubs across Europe would have received PDR payments if the system had been in place last season, with over 400 clubs earning more than 100,000 euros.
UEFA has already committed 7% of its revenue for the 2024-27 cycle to clubs not taking part in men's continental competitions, but the UEC said UEFA's system was "outdated and misaligned with the goals of sustainable football."
Reuters has asked UEFA for comment.
The UEC was formed in 2022 and is separate to the European Club Association, which is headed by Nasser Al-Khelaifi and says it is the sole representative body of clubs in Europe.
The ECA, which has a Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA that runs until 2033, represents more than 440 clubs across the continent, although it is dominated by the big teams.
($1 = 0.8987 euros)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Car
7 minutes ago
- Auto Car
New Maserati flagship could get V6 and MANUAL gearbox!
Maserati and Alfa boss reveals plan for two firms to collaborate once again on a limited-run supercar Close News Maserati is considering a new flagship super-GT with V6 power and a manual gearbox as part of a drive to emphasise its sporting heritage and strengthen the brand's luxury credentials. Set to be a limited-run creation, the new top-rung Maserati could be launched as early as next year as the most exclusive and powerful combustion-engined car the firm has produced since the MC12 landed two decades ago. It is tipped to be based on the Granturismo and will be twinned with an equivalent Alfa Romeo model, similar to the way in which the new Alfa 33 Stradale is based on Maserati's MC20. Speaking to Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this month, Santo Ficili, who is CEO of both marques, said: 'We have infinite possibilities to customise products for our customers, for the entire range of Maserati. I'm imagining to do something like we did in the past, also considering Alfa Romeo.' Ficili referenced previous collaborations between the two firms, highlighting that the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was based on the previous Maserati Granturismo and built alongside that car at Maserati's plant in Modena, where the later 4C sports coupé was also produced. More recently, Alfa Romeo turned to Maserati to provide the basis for the new 33 Stradale supercar, which shares its basic monocoque chassis and twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with the mid-engined MC20 (now rebadged MCPura). 'We built the 4C and 8C in Modena, so why not?' said Ficili of the prospect of another limited-run supercar tie-up. 'We can imagine a 'few-off' Maserati. It's easy, because you can look at the past of these two brands, and you can find a nice car like the 33 Stradale, and we can invent something like this.' Ficili stopped short of describing in more detail his vision for a new bespoke creation but suggested the aim is to use the new flagship to celebrate Maserati's Nettuno V6 engine, as used in the Granturismo, Grecale and MCPura. 'It's a masterpiece,' he said. It is likely that any V6-powered limited-run special would ramp up the Nettuno's output beyond the 621bhp of the MCPura, in line with a price that would be well in excess of that car's £230,000, but the firm is unlikely to use electrification to achieve that power boost. Maserati engineering boss Davide Danesin said: 'There are still customers looking for pure mechanical cars.' He added that there is a 'bad feeling' about having a battery on board a supercar, due to the heightened complexity and extra weight it brings. The Nettuno's 'super-advanced' pre-chamber combustion technology and twin injection system help to cut emissions and boost performance, he said, and the engine is 'getting to 210hp per litre with very efficient combustion'. That figure is why the MCPura can remain a pure-combustion car and it means Maserati can keep the V6 in production with the same power once Euro 7 regulations are in force. Giving further clues to what a limited-run Maserati supercar could look like, Danesin even dropped a hint that it could reintroduce a manual gearbox to Maserati's ranks for the first time in years. He said: 'A manual gearbox is an opportunity. I don't see that in big series [production], but why not do a special version with a manual gearbox? No reason to say never. It could be the right choice for a limited edition of a car.' He added that a manual gearbox would emphasise the 'pure', analogue ethos of a Maserati supercar. 'By doing a purely mechanical car, it does make sense to have a mechanical gearbox with a shifter,' he said. 'So why not? It fulfils perfectly the brand. It fulfils perfectly our approach and the mindset. So honestly, I think one day we'll do it.' Ficili said he plans to emphasise Maserati's Italian heritage going forward, adding that the company's headquarters in Modena – 'the middle of Motor Valley' – is 'the right place' to build sports cars. The firm will shortly begin production of the Granturismo and Grancabrio at its factory there once again, having built the current generation at Fiat's Mirafiori plant since 2023. Any new V6 special edition will be closely related to those cars. Neither Danesin nor Ficili gave any indication of when this new supercar could break cover, but next year will be the 100th anniversary of the launch of Maserati's first car, the Tipo 26 grand prix racer that won Italy's legendary Targa Florio endurance race on its first competitive outing in 1926. The following year, Alfa Romeo launched the venerable 6C 1500 sports car, which went on to win the Mille Miglia and the Spa 24 Hours. An Alfa Romeo version of Maserati's next limited-run sports car would no doubt celebrate the centenary of that seminal model. Alfa has already confirmed it will reveal a second supercar in 2026 from its new 'Bottega' division for limited-run cars, which launched with the 33 Stradale. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lando Norris' frank admission after delayed Belgian GP
Oscar Piastri secured victory at the rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix, extending his championship lead over McLaren team-mate Lando Norris. The start of the 13th round at Spa-Francorchamps was delayed by 80 minutes due to heavy rain and poor visibility. Piastri overtook pole-sitter Norris on the first racing lap with a committed move through Eau Rouge and up the Kemmel Straight. Norris admitted Piastri showed more commitment and deserved the win, acknowledging his own 'scrappy exit' from the opening corner. Race officials exercised caution due to the track's history of fatalities, including Dutch 18-year-old Dilano Van 't Hoff in 2023.
The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lucy Bronze helped Lionesses win Euro 2025 with painful injury
England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played through the entire Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia. Bronze, 33, started all six games, including England's dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the final, securing her second European title. She was forced off with a knee injury during extra time of the final and required assistance during celebrations, highlighting the severity of her injuries. Bronze's grit and determination were widely praised by teammates and manager Sarina Wiegman, who described her as 'one of a kind'.
