UEFA approves changes affecting all Champions League participants and clubs that did not qualify for the cups

European organisation UEFA and the European Clubs Association (ECA) on Wednesday evening signed a renewed agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding, extending the cooperation between the two companies until 2030. The main objective is the long-term stability and sustainable growth of European club football.

UEFA on Wednesday announced the renewal of its agreement with the European Club Association (ECA) until 2030. This will also see a change in the funding of clubs, particularly for those who do not qualify for European cups.

In fact, the current edition is the last one where, for example, the Champions League sees the classic division of four teams into several groups. However, this will change at the end of the 2024/25 season, with the Champions League, the Europa League and the European Conference League being played in a different format.

And it is from this model for 2024 to 2027 that UEFA will distribute seven per cent of the profits of the three competitions among the clubs that do not qualify. So far, these clubs have collected 175 million euros, but the new figure will be 308 million euros.

However, UEFA also unveiled other changes on its official website. The famous football organisation will award clubs a larger percentage of the profits for their participation in the Champions League.

This is currently 25 per cent and will now be 27.5 per cent. Clubs will also have higher performance bonuses, which will increase to 37.5 per cent from the current 30 per cent.

Continuity, stability and healthy growth

Both UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and European Clubs Association president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi have understandably commented on the renewed agreement.

“This new memorandum will bring continuity, stability and healthy growth that will benefit all corners of Europe. I would like to thank the ECA Executive Board and its President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi for their efforts in making this agreement a reality. Our cooperation will strengthen European football,” Čeferin said in an official statement.

“The renewed memorandum between the ECA and UEFA until 2030 is fantastic news for all European clubs, and for those who care about the stability and prosperity of European club football,” Al-Khelaïfi added.

Source: UEFA, AP News