Elite European clubs will receive 100 million euros (83.4 million pounds) in return for releasing their players to international teams for Euro 2012.
The cash for the 23-day-long European Championships finals comes after a breakthrough agreement between the European Clubs Association and UEFA was struck yesterday. It almost doubles the amount due to the ECA under prior arrangements, which were struck on the basis of clubs receiving 55 million euros from Euro 2012. It also significantly improves on the UEFA payment for Euro 2008, which amounted to 43.5 million euros.
The deal buries the hatchet between UEFA and the top clubs and averts the prospect of a European super league breakaway at least until 2018.
Last year there was considerable malaise at the top of the ECA over its relationship with the football authorities, and the expiry in July 2014 of the prior memorandum of understanding between UEFA and the ECA had been viewed as a potentially catastrophic flash point for European football. The new agreement, signed at Uefa's annual congress in Istanbul yesterday by UEFA's president, Michel Platini, and his ECA counterpart, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, extends until 2018.
"Today is a historic day for European club football," said Rummenigge. "With this agreement, UEFA clearly recognises the importance of clubs and the significant contribution they make to the success of national-team football."
Platini added: "This demonstrates the excellent working relationship we have with clubs and represents a true success in further strengthening the unity of the football family."
The new framework also sets up a committee giving the clubs a veto over all UEFA decisions affecting club competitions.
