14 Maltese clubs to receive UEFA Solidarity payments for players’ national team selection

Fourteen Maltese football clubs will share the sum of €1.2 million that is being given to the Malta FA by the European governing body UEFA as Solidarity Payments for having players forming part of the national team.

Under the detailed distribution mechanism agreed between UEFA and the ECA, clubs received an equal share for each player released for each UEFA Nations League and European Qualifiers match, as well as a fixed amount per player per day during the final tournament, adjusted according to FIFA’s club categorisation for training compensation.

These payments cover the 2020-2024 cycle during which the Maltese national team took part in two editions of the UEFA Nations League and a European Championship qualifying campaign.

In total, 14 Maltese clubs will be receiving a share of the €1.2 million granted allocated for the Malta Football Association.

Ħamrun Spartans are the biggest beneficiaries as they will be receiving the sum of €307,356 while Hibernians follow behind with €234,176.

Valletta will be awarded €193,927 while Birkirkara will receive €171,973. The recipient clubs are Balzan (€40,249), Sirens (€14,636), Floriana (€87,816), Gudja United (€3,659), Gżira United(€47,567), Hibernians (€234,176), Marsaxlokk (€10,977), Żabbar SP (€7,318), Santa Lucia (€25,613), Sliema Wanderers (€84,157), and Żejtun Corinthians (€10,977).

In reaction, MFA president Bjorn Vassallo said that he was pleased to see more solidarity initiatives in favour of Maltese football.

“It is of great satisfaction to see such schemes that continue to provide solidarity in favour of the local football system,” Vassallo said.

“Thanks to the players that are selected in the senior men’s national team, their respective clubs are being given important sums of money that are used to continue to invest in the development of the game.

“In just a few years the Malta Football Association managed to create important income for the clubs and this thanks to the active participation in UEFA meetings and for the strategic decisions that were taken that have enabled the clubs that are operating on a professional level will be given the opportunity to develop in a commercial autonomy.

“It is also positive to see that part of these payments will be awarded to clubs who do not form part of the top division in Maltese football but form an integral part of the domestic football pyramid.”

The Malta FA president said that the governing body is also working hard so that small clubs, who will not benefit from the Solidarity Payments for UEFA club competitions following an agreement between UEFA and the ECA, will have new schemes from which they sill benefit financial assistance that will enable them to invest in the youth sector.

“This is an important part of the work we are carrying out so that none of the affiliated clubs will remain behind.”