The 10 clubs that participated in the BOV Premier League last season are set for a financial tonic thanks to UEFA’s decision to distribute the solidarity funds equally among the top-flight teams.
“Even top-division clubs that do not have the privilege of playing in the UEFA Champions League receive a share of the competition revenue, in the form of solidarity payments,” a report in the latest issue of UEFA.direct says.
“However this money is earmarked exclusively for the training of young players.”
The decision to include all the top-flight clubs in the solidarity payment scheme was made in agreement with the European Club Association (ECA).
John Borg, the vice-president of Birkirkara, represents the Maltese clubs on the ECA, previously known as the European Club Forum.
The adjustments to the solidarity programme were discussed at length by the ECA’s finance working group of which Borg is a member.
Ernesto Paolillo, the Inter CEO, and Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of French club Olympique Lyon, are the co-chairmen of the ECA finance group.
UEFA have also increased the solidarity fund (for youth development) from €43 million to €68 million for season 2009/10.
According to UEFA.direct, Maltese clubs are to share €289,328 as part of the solidarity programme.
The money will be paid to the Malta FA which will then be expected to divide the amount equally among the 10 clubs who competed in the BOV Premier League last season.
Thus, the clubs, including relegated sides Dingli Swallows and Msida St Joseph, will each receive €28,932.
UEFA make clear that the funds must only be paid to clubs which have a youth training programme that complies with the requirements of the national club licensing regulations.
Contacted by The Times, Borg confirmed that UEFA have endorsed the adjustments to the solidarity programme, adding that the revised terms were discussed at a meeting of the Premier League Clubs Standing Committee on Tuesday.
The Malta FA’s finance department, headed by treasurer Antoine Portelli, is expected to evaluate UEFA’s new guidelines on the solidarity payments in the coming days. It is believed that, up to last season, the amount was divided equally among all the clubs affiliated with the Malta FA.
The annual grants for youth training are not related to the prize money UEFA give to those clubs that actually take part in its competitions.
Birkirkara, who progressed to the second qualifying round of the Champions League where they narrowly lost to Slovakia’s MSK Zilina, are expected to earn up to €460,000 in prize money – €200,000 for winning the domestic championship and €260,000 for their run in the Champions League (€130,000 for every round).
Valletta and Sliema Wanderers, who failed to advance in the Europa League, will each pocket €90,000.
The Citizens were knocked out by Poland’s Ruch Chorzow on the away goals rule after a 1-1 aggregate draw in the second qualifying round. Sliema suffered a 3-0 defeat to Croatia’s HNK Sibenik in the first qualifying round.