UEFA’s payment changes sparks concerns for Finn Harps and other First Division clubs

Aidan Campbell, the Commercial Officer of Finn Harps, has voiced his concerns over a recent decision by UEFA and the European Clubs Association (ECA) that will see a reduction in solidarity money allocated to League of Ireland (LOI) First Division clubs starting in 2025.

While Premier Division clubs are set to receive a significant financial windfall, Campbell believes the move will have damaging consequences for the development of football at grassroots level.

Under the new system, the amount of solidarity money available to Irish football clubs will increase from €1.4 million to around €4 million as UEFA looks to spread the wealth generated by its revamped Champions League format. For Premier Division clubs, this represents a tenfold increase in funding, with each club expected to receive nearly €700,000 – up from the current €70,000 – by 2025.

However, First Division clubs will see their share of the money drop. Previously, solidarity payments were split evenly between Premier and First Division clubs, but under the new terms, only 15% of the total pot will be available to First Division teams.

This means that the 10 clubs in the second tier will now share €450,000, with each receiving around €45,000 – a significant reduction from the €70,000 they currently receive.

Campbell took to Twitter to express his frustration, stating: “More money for Irish football … good. But the decision by ECA/UEFA to CUT solidarity money to FD academies, who are committing huge resources to developing male & female players, is obscenely anti-football & sends a horrible message to dedicated people.”

His comments highlight the broader concern that cutting funds for First Division clubs, many of whom are heavily invested in developing young talent through their academies, will undermine the foundations of Irish football.

He feels that First Division clubs play a vital role in nurturing future stars, and reduced funding could hamper their ability to maintain and grow youth development programs, especially at a time when the women’s game is also expanding.

The decision to cut First Division funding comes at a time when top-flight clubs are set to benefit from a financial boost, with UEFA stipulating that Premier Division clubs receive the bulk of the solidarity money. Premier clubs will see their share jump to around €355,000 each in years where no Irish team qualifies for group-stage football.

In 2024, with Shamrock Rovers participating in the UEFA Conference League, the remaining Premier clubs are expected to receive even more, around €390,000 each.

While this is seen as a positive step for Premier Division clubs, allowing them to become more competitive in European competitions, the reduction in funding for First Division clubs paints a worrying picture for the lower tier of Irish football.

The decision has sparked debate about the growing financial divide between the Premier and First Divisions, and the long-term impact this could have on youth development in the country.

The introduction of solidarity money was originally tied to youth training budgets, but recent changes have loosened this requirement. While clubs will still need to meet certain conditions, such as maintaining women’s teams, the memorandum signed with the ECA means clubs will have more flexibility in how they use the funds.

Despite this, Campbell’s concerns underscore the potential consequences of leaving academies and development programs underfunded, at a time when Irish football’s future success depends on nurturing homegrown talent.

As Premier Division clubs look ahead to a financial boost, many in the First Division are left wondering how they will continue to develop the next generation of Irish footballers with diminished resources.