The European Club Association is to inject €60 million into the UEFA Europa League each year from 2018.

The organisation, which represents a number of Europe’s leading clubs, has announced it is to make the solidarity payment following consultation with governing body UEFA.

Among the stated objectives when the ECA signed a memorandum of understanding with UEFA in 2015 was to reduce the disparity in financial rewards between the Champions League and the second-tier competition.

A statement read: “With a view to strengthening unity and solidarity in European club football, it was decided to allocate an extra amount of €50 million to the Europa League and €10 million to the qualifying phase.”

European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “I am pleased that within ECA we manage to reach quick and simple decisions for the good of football.

“ECA is a strong and reliable partner of UEFA. Solidarity is a key pillar of the European club football model, which has always been supported by ECA and its member clubs.”

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