UEFA urged to increase payments to non elite clubs to reward player development

NYON – The Union of European Clubs (UEC) on May 12 proposed the creation of a financial system that would see continental governing body Uefa share 5 per cent of its revenue from club competitions with low-ranked football clubs that develop elite players.

In 2024, Uefa said the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Super Cup would generate a gross revenue of €4.4 billion (S$6.38 billion) in the 2024-25 season, 5 per cent of which would be €220 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 committed 7 per cent 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But the UEC said Uefa’s system was “outdated and misaligned with the goals of sustainable football”.

“We acknowledge the proposal. The solidarity system was reviewed with stakeholders ECA and EL (European Leagues) prior to the cycle’s start and is now in its first year of operation. The matter will