€31.5 million in huge bonuses for European clubs

UEFA has announced the allocation of €31.5 million to clubs that released their players to represent their national teams during the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. This payment is part of the first installment of the Club Benefits Scheme, launched by UEFA under a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Club Association (ECA), which represents more than 800 clubs across the continent. UEFA explained that the total amount allocated under the scheme is €104 million, designated for clubs whose players participated with their national teams in the 2024-25 and 2026-27 UEFA Nations Leagues, as well as the qualifying rounds for UEFA Euro 2028. This initial payment will benefit 611 clubs from various UEFA member associations, including amateur clubs, reflecting the expansion of the scheme to encompass all levels of European football. RB Leipzig received the highest compensation in this round, amounting to approximately €353,000, for releasing 16 of its players to their national teams during the program's duration. These payments are part of a financial compensation mechanism for clubs that make their players available for international duty, including UEFA competitions. Portugal won the 2025 UEFA Nations League title after defeating Spain on penalties in the final, while the 2026-2027 edition began this September.