Derby County have banked €120,000 as a result of the club benefits programme for releasing players for national team competitions.
As part of a record distribution of €233m to 901 clubs from 55 national associations, the Rams received a six-figure sum for players involved in UEFA competitions.
The programme saw clubs receive funding for the release of players for competitions in the last four-year cycle (2020-2024), including the 2020/21 and 2022/23 UEFA Nations League, European Qualifiers 2022–24 and UEFA EURO 2024.
Derby received money for David Marshall’s involvement with Scotland as well as Kamil Jozwiak and Krystian Bielik playing for Poland. All three players are no longer with the club.
ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said: “I am very pleased to see that more than 900 clubs from all corners of Europe have benefited from this unprecedented distribution under the Club Benefits Programme, which is a key pillar of UEFA and ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding.
“This initiative recognises that clubs play a vital role in the ongoing success of national team football through developing, employing and releasing players; and also that the national team game in turn drives the development of clubs and their communities.
“This harmonious relationship perfectly reflects the great collaboration between UEFA and ECA today, driving growth, innovation and the positive development of European football in the interests of all.”
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ECA and UEFA, which was extended during the 2024 General Assembly in Athens, a structured distribution mechanism ensures clubs receive an equal share for each player released for UEFA Nations League and European Qualifiers matches, along with a fixed amount per player per day during the final tournament.
A total of €140m was distributed to 196 clubs for player release to the UEFA EURO 2024 Final tournament – an increase from €130m in the previous cycle.
Meanwhile, €100m was allocated for the release of players to the 2020/21 and 2022/23 UEFA Nations League and UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifiers.
Federico Cherubini, CEO of Parma Calcio 1913, said: “The Club Benefits Programme is a testament to the fairness and solidarity that should underpin football. Clubs like Parma work hard to develop players who contribute to the success of national teams, and it is only right that this effort is recognised. Thanks to ECA’s role in negotiating this agreement, clubs across all levels of the football pyramid are receiving financial support that helps sustain our work in player development, ultimately enabling our club to grow.”
Discussion about this post