Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a financial boost by UEFA, receiving a payment of approximately £1.5 million as part of the European football governing body’s Club Benefits Programme. The payment was issued in recognition of the club’s cooperation in allowing its players to represent their national teams in official UEFA-sanctioned competitions over the past four years.
UEFA recently confirmed that all 20 clubs in the Premier League, including Spurs, were beneficiaries of the initiative, which aims to reward clubs for their role in supporting international football. In total, a staggering £200 million (€240 million) has been distributed among 900 clubs across Europe. The funds were allocated based on the number of players released for national duty and the duration of their involvement in various UEFA competitions.
Tottenham’s share of the fund—€1.77 million, equating to around £1.5 million—comes from their players’ participation in two UEFA Nations League campaigns, several European Championship qualifiers, and the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2024 tournament held last summer in Germany. The payments were calculated on a per player per day basis, with clubs receiving compensation for each day a player was involved in international duty, including travel and training.
However, there is a notable omission in the funds distributed: no payments were made for players who featured in Euro 2020, which was postponed until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UEFA’s benefits package applies strictly to tournaments falling within the 2020-2024 cycle.
The Club Benefits Programme is designed not only to reward top-tier teams but also to offer financial recognition to clubs of all sizes who contribute players to the international stage. This ensures that even smaller clubs, who may have fewer international stars but play a critical role in player development, are acknowledged for their contributions.
Tottenham were not the only English club to receive significant payouts. Their North London rivals, Arsenal, received €3.89 million (£3.34 million), making them the second-highest earners among Premier League clubs. Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City topped the list with a payout of €5.17 million (£4.44 million), a reflection of the sheer number of their players involved in international competition.
Liverpool also featured prominently, collecting €3.54 million (£3.04 million), followed by Manchester United with €3.16 million (£2.71 million), and Chelsea with €2.62 million (£2.25 million).
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin praised the scheme, highlighting its importance in sustaining the broader football ecosystem. “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,” he said. “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. When football thrives, everyone benefits.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), echoed Čeferin’s sentiments. “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,” he stated. “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.”
For Tottenham, the UEFA payment is just one of multiple revenue streams flowing into the club this year. In addition to the benefits programme, Spurs are expected to earn significant sums through their continued participation in the UEFA Europa League. The North London side has advanced to the semi-finals of the competition and is set to face Norwegian outfit Bodø/Glimt next month, with progression to the final potentially boosting the club’s finances even further through prize money and broadcast revenue.
Overall, the Club Benefits Programme reinforces the growing importance of collaboration between club and international football. As UEFA and the ECA continue to deepen their partnership, clubs like Tottenham are being rewarded for their integral role in the success of football on both the domestic and international stage.
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Tottenham discover their share of £200m UEFA payment in timely PSR transfer boost
