UEFA Distributes £200M to Clubs with Liverpool Among Top Earners | OneFootball

Liverpool’s UEFA Windfall Reflects Global Player Influence

Record UEFA Payout Reaches All Levels of Football

European football’s commitment to its club ecosystem has taken a definitive financial step forward. UEFA’s latest €233 million (£200 million) disbursement through the Club Benefits Programme represents a landmark moment for teams across Europe, from top-flight giants to grassroots outfits. Liverpool, with its star-studded international roster, stands prominently among the clubs reaping the rewards.

The initiative rewards clubs for releasing players to represent national teams in UEFA competitions, including the Nations League, European Qualifiers, and EURO 2024 itself. It’s a significant uptick—up 16.5% from the previous €200m allocation—and one that underscores UEFA’s renewed recognition of club contribution to international football.

Liverpool Among Top Beneficiaries of €233M Scheme

With 14 senior players participating in EURO 2024 qualifiers and the final tournament, Liverpool were bound to benefit. UEFA confirmed the club received €3.54 million (£3.04 million) during the 2020–2024 cycle, a sum that reflects their consistent supply of elite-level talent to national squads. While Manchester City (€5.17m) and Real Madrid (€4.79m) earned more, Liverpool’s share still places them in Europe’s top echelon.

This system compensates clubs based on both quantity and quality. For Nations League and qualifiers, clubs received €10,000 per player per match. At the tournament proper, daily rates ranged from €8,500 to €12,500 per player depending on FIFA’s training compensation classification.

Notably, payments weren’t limited to giants. Even Yorkshire Amateur, a club from England’s tenth tier, received €7,300—proof that UEFA’s distribution net reaches far beyond elite borders.

Photo: IMAGO

Rewarding Grassroots and Elite Alike

The structure’s inclusive nature reflects UEFA’s intention to make international football’s success a collective one. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin reinforced this message: “Every success of our competitions is a shared one, and this benefits programme is another testament to that principle, recognising the dedication of those who work tirelessly to make European football the greatest sport in the world.”

Čeferin also stated: “It is fantastic to see clubs of all sizes and levels, across the entire football pyramid, receiving financial rewards for their vital role in developing players who contribute to the success of our national team competitions – including the highly successful UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament.”

The philosophy underpinning the initiative is simple: clubs develop players, and when those players shine on international stages, everyone should benefit.

UEFA’s Strategic Shift Towards Club Alignment

This record payout signals more than just financial generosity—it represents a calculated effort by UEFA to maintain harmony between club and country. With growing concerns over player fatigue, fixture congestion, and the balance of power between stakeholders, such schemes act as reassurance that the burden of international duty comes with due compensation.

For Liverpool, it’s a reaffirmation of their global standing. Under new leadership following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, the Reds remain pivotal not only in club competitions but also as a provider of international quality. As Arne Slot shapes his squad, the club’s ability to produce and nurture internationals remains both a strength and a source of revenue.

At a time when top clubs juggle domestic ambition with continental obligations, UEFA’s £200 million gesture is more than a cheque—it’s a message: we see your efforts, and they count.