European Clubs Propose UEFA Revenue Share for Player Development

The Union of European Clubs (UEC), representing over 140 lower-tier football clubs, has proposed that UEFA allocate 5% of its substantial broadcast and commercial revenues—amounting to roughly 220 million euros this season—from competitions such as the Champions League to reward clubs that have played a key role in developing future star players but have not reached the group stages themselves. This Player Development Reward aims to reduce the growing financial disparity in European football by fairly compensating grassroots clubs, potentially distributing at least 400,000 euros to each of 400 clubs annually. The UEC describes the plan as a pragmatic, merit-based approach to restore fairness and balance in the football ecosystem, emphasizing that clubs investing in player development deserve recognition when their players succeed on Europe's biggest stages. However, the proposal faces significant challenges, as UEFA and the influential European Club Association (ECA)—which holds a formal partnership with UEFA and represents elite clubs led by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi—have yet to endorse it. Since its establishment in 2023, the UEC has positioned itself as a counterbalance to the ECA, advocating for clubs beyond traditional powerhouses and has sought support from broader European institutions like the European Commission. The outcome remains uncertain, highlighting tensions between grassroots development interests and established football powers in the governance of European football finances.