April 28 – When it comes to standing on wallets UEFA clearly has a much bigger one than FIFA. Hours after FIFA announced a $150 million Covid-19 support package for its 211 member associations, UEFA trumped them by more than $85 million, releasing €236.5 million to help its 55 member associations.
If FIFA needed a reminder as to where the financial power balance in global football currently lies, this was it. The timing of the UEFA announcement from Nyon could not have been more deflating for the global game’s bosses in Zurich.
The disbursements will see each of FIFA’s members receive just over $402,000 each. UEFA members also receive that amount as members of FIFA, but it is dwarfed by the €4.3 million they will each receive from their regional confederation.
The money for the UEFA disbursement comes from the HatTrick funding which is usually allocated to cover running costs and for local football development projects. UEFA has lifted restrictions on how the money can be used to allow each association to set its own priorities depending on the local impact of the coronavirus.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “Our sport is facing an unprecedented challenge brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. UEFA wants to help its members to respond in ways that are appropriate to their specific circumstances. As a result, we have agreed that up to €4.3m per association, paid for the remainder of this season and next, as well as part of the investment funding, can be used as our members see fit to rebuild the football community.
“I believe this is a responsible decision to help as much as we can; and I am proud of the unity that football is showing throughout this crisis. Without doubt, football will be at the heart of life returning to normal. When that time comes, football must be ready to answer that call.”
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