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European Football Associations' Association (UEFA) will distribute 415 million euros to 32 clubs that participated in the 2004-2005 Champions League tournament group stages and further matches.
UEFA's profit, derived from television rights, sponsorship rights sales, and media contracts, is distributed to the clubs participating in the Champions League in certain established amounts: 1.62 million for participation in the main tournament, 324,000 for each played match plus the same amount for a win and half for a draw, 1.62 million for reaching the knockout stages, 1.95 million for the quarterfinals, 2.6 for the semifinals, 3.9 for second place, and 6.5 for the victory.
However, these merit awards make up only about half of the total amount paid out, as the remaining portion is distributed based on market size, with the big five countries - England, France, Italy, and Germany, slightly supplemented by clubs from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Greece, while other countries like Russia, Ukraine, or the Czech Republic receive only "crumbs."
This year, the Champions League winner "Liverpool" will earn the most overall, receiving over 30 million euros, the runner-up "Milan" will earn 26 million, but "Chelsea" will earn more - 28 million. Among the largest recipients are also "Arsenal" (23 million), "Lyon" (20), "Bayern" (18), "Werder" (17), "Man Utd" (16), "Juventus" and "PSV" (15 each).
According to UEFA rules for 2004/05, 75 percent of the total profit from television and commercial contracts goes to the clubs, while the remaining 25 percent goes to European football to cover administrative expenses and to pay the so-called "solidarity" contributions to federations, clubs, and leagues.
