November 18 – The umbrella organisation representing Europe’s top leagues have agreed to allocate €2.3 million to Ukraine to allow domestic competition there to continue in the wake of the escalating Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian Premier League resumed in August with all matches played behind closed doors because of the danger of bombs and missiles, and only in a few stadiums – all of them fitted with shelters.
“We have been in constant contact with our colleagues in the Ukrainian Premier League in recent months…and they started their competition in spite of really difficult circumstances,” European Leagues managing director Jacco Swart told a press conference following the organisation’s annual assembly in Porto.
“They are living the war on a daily basis and this financial help will make it possible for them to finish the season.”
The European Leagues, now comprising 40 members from 34 countries inside and outside the European Union, are also stepping up their efforts to bring about a fairer financial distribution process amongst European clubs.
A Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA has now expired, Swart revealed, saying he hoped that fresh talks could take place in the coming months “to see if we can come to agreement over new terms.”
Explaining the European Leagues’ position, Swart said it was “no secret” that his organisation felt there was an unfair imbalance when it comes to UEFA’s revenue distribution policy.
“Today the total amount distributed amongst the 96 participants in UEFA’s three club competitions is €2.7 billion on an annual basis,” he said.
“At the same time there are more than 600 non-participating clubs playing top-tier domestic football who only share €175 million.”
“We don’t think that is healthy.”
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